Even before the results of the school election were known, the Clarkston Board of Education voted Monday, June 9 to raise salaries for all employee groups.
In all categories, employees will receive an increase of at least 2 percent in the 2003-2004 school year. Raises for the following year, depending on employee classification, will depend on whether there is an increase in the state’s per pupil foundation grant.
Most employee groups will have a new option for health coverage plans in either 2003 or 2004.
Cafeteria workers, managers and drivers have no salary increase slated for 2004-2005, but will receive an additional paid day off when school is not in session.
In ratifying the contracts, officials cited ‘financial constraints? as a challenge in negotiations, but they gave credit to union representatives for reaching the agreements.
‘It has been a lot of work and cooperation with employee groups and administration,? Board President Kurt Shanks said. ‘We all wish we could have a bottomless pit to be able to afford more.?
Superintendent Al Roberts called the agreements, ‘fair, reasonable and competitive.?
With the contracts ratified, the board must now include the new salary rates into the budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Officials announced that the annual ‘truth-in-taxation? hearing will be at 6 p.m. Monday, July 23 at the district administration building.
The hearing, required by law when there is a possibility of tax revenues increasing past the rate of increase in local property values, will precede the regular board meeting, at which a proposed budget for 2003-2004 will be discussed.