At its June meeting, the Platte County R-3 Board of Education okayed increasing all salaries by six percent.
Salary increases were approved in various staff categories as part of the district’s strategic goal to attract, retain, and develop a high quality staff.
Team Platte County (consisting of a representative team of teachers from across the district), as well as classified (support) staff representatives, recommended a “Step Replacement Strategy” for all salary schedules and increased all salaries by six percent.
This strategy places the dollar equivalent of a step movement, plus additional dollars into the base salary amount which maximizes the ability for every position within the schedule to become more competitive.
School officials say this strategy is not to be confused with a schedule freeze, as all employees will receive a raise.
In addition to base salary increases, several classified range changes (3% increases) were recommended: building, department, and executive level administrative assistants; lunch monitors; nurses; safety monitors; custodians; and lead mechanic.
Paraprofessionals were divided into two separate ranges, Paraprofessional I (general) and Paraprofessional II (intensive behavior/personal care). The Paraprofessional I will receive one range change; Paraprofessional II will receive two range changes.
The recommendation ensures all available dollars are distributed based on the district’s ranking and market comparisons, as well as retention patterns of every job classification. Utilizing the Step Replacement Strategy will make all salary schedules and positions more competitive, thus increasing the district’s ability to attract high quality staff, district officials say.
