Board mulls over new format for staff salary schedules
The Holyoke School District Board of Education held a brief meeting Wednesday, July 20, at the JR/SR high innovation center before holding a retreat.
New formats for certified and classified staff salary schedules were presented to the board for them to think about. The hope is that it will simplify the confusing salary schedules that the district currently has.
On the proposed certified staff salary schedule, all licensed staff members new to the district will enter using a minimum base salary of $36,250 and a maximum base salary of $56,188 for those with bachelor’s degrees and a minimum of $39,498 and a maximum of $60,222 for those with master’s degrees.
Additionally, an experience factor of 1.5% of the base salary may be added for each year of experience credited to determine initial salary.
If this plan is put in place, salary advancement will be based on the district’s fiscal ability to fund the schedule. A minimum 2% increase will be granted starting with the 2023-2024 school year.
Minimums and maximums were also presented for classified staff, including paraprofessionals, secretaries, substitutes, bus drivers, directors, deans of students, principals and superintendent.
Brown, Herr interviewed for board seats
With two open seats on the board of education, board members interviewed two interested individuals at the July 20 meeting.
Mike Brown said he’s saddened by the lack of interest in the board, and he’s offering his own unique perspective and skill set.
He said the district can be proud of its school pride and its embrace of the homeschool community. A couple of things that need some attention, according to Brown, are the band program and the master plan/building projects.
Jill Herr was also interviewed. As a Holyoke alum, she said this is one way she can give back for all the ways the district helped her. She said her vision for the district is to provide a great foundation for students so that they can go on and pursue whatever they want to do.
She said the district’s strengths are preparing kids for college or career, athletics, music and foreign language. Students are spread too thin and can’t be in as many activities as they used to, she said, and the music program also needs some improvement.
Megan Sprague hired for third grade position
Among several staff approvals at the July 20 meeting, the board approved the hiring of Megan Sprague as a third grade teacher.
Shauna Strecker was approved for the extra duty assignment of career and technical education director.
Other approvals for the 2022-23 school year included Crystal Vasquez, full-time JR/SR high special education paraprofessional; Melisa Hunter, full-time JR/SR high Homegrown Talent Initiative paraprofessional; Stormi Alberts, elementary paraprofessional; Eric Schmid, full-time JR/SR high special education paraprofessional and full-time route school bus driver.
Bailey Chintala and Summer Kreider were approved as junior high girls volleyball coaches.
The board accepted the resignation of Aaron Cottam, elementary and JR/SR high band teacher, effective June 23.
Following the resignation of two board members earlier this year, the board had to hold a reorganization election at the July 20 meeting. Jessica Koch was elected secretary of the board.
Board holds retreat
After the regular meeting July 20, the board held a retreat. Topics included:
— Board self-evaluation results.
— Board goals.
— Salary policies.
— Concealed carry option for staff.
— CTE organizations fundraising, spending and programming.
— Activity bus.
— Initiative 63.
— Graduation.
— Coach pay for driving a team bus.