Coaching salary increases contemplated for 2021-22
Consideration for an increase in coaching salaries starting in 2021-22 was addressed at the May 4 meeting of the Holyoke School District Re-1J Board of Education.
While the increase was not part of the preliminary budget also presented last week, it is an addition that could be made if the board chooses to go forward with it.
Superintendent Kyle Stumpf pointed out that a change in coaching stipends has not been addressed for a number of years.
In the last four to five years, updates have been made to the certified staff salary schedule, paraprofessional/hourly employee rates and just last year, the bus driver pay rate.
A proposal by athletic/activities director John Baumgartner last year was put on hold due to the significant changes/cancellations in activity schedules and more during the pandemic.
Baumgartner’s proposed coaching salaries are based on a percentage of the district’s base pay for certified staff. So if the base pay increases, coaching salaries would see an increase as well.
The basics of the proposal for the first year note an increase from $3,102 to $3,417 for head HS coaches, $1,861 to $2,392 for assistant HS coaches, $1,825 to $2,050 for head JH coaches and $1,241 to $1,537 for assistant JH coaches.
Impact the first year would be around $20,000 including salaries and benefits, according to Budget & Finance Director Ben Rahe.
At first look at the potential budget impact, Rahe asked if the board wanted to raise the certified staff salary base, add back positions that had been eliminated and increase the coaching salaries all in the same year.
Ultimately, he said that the coaching salary proposal could fit into the budget this year if that’s the direction the board wants to go with it.
Asked about where Holyoke stands with regard to area schools’ coaching salaries, Rahe said we’re in the top quarter.
Board member Chas Lengfelder said he thinks the coaching salary increase should be considered for this year.
Questions were asked regarding potential ways to incentivize staff members to serve as coaches or sponsors of activities. Board member Dusty Sprague, who is also a coach, said it is nice to have a member of a coaching staff teaching in the building.
Stumpf will check with area schools to see if they are offering coaching incentives to teachers.
Preliminary budget reviewed
Citing that state finance numbers haven’t changed since what was projected in January, Rahe presented preliminary budget figures for 2021-22.
He hopes that relatively concrete numbers will be available in the next month or so to better project revenue. A final budget draft will be prepared for the May 18 board meeting. The board has until June 30 to officially adopt the budget.
Rural school funding looks to increase from $197,000 to $236,000 next year. Rahe also noted there will be two more rounds of stimulus funds amounting to about $929,000.
On the expense side, Rahe said the preliminary budget reflects a 2% increase in the base salary and a 5% increase in health insurance. It includes being fully staffed with some positions added back in.
The proposed certified staff salary schedule within the budget shows an increase from $34,173 to $34,856 with a bachelor’s degree and from $37,234 to $37,979 with a master’s.
Some capital project items potentially being looked at for general fund expenses are: a small vehicle or van for employee use, actual maintenance vehicle, mower, at least $15,000 work on the superintendent’s house, repair of chain-link fence around the football field, cage for air conditioning units, Chromebooks for at least one class of students, and possibly some additional Promethean panels and carts.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds could be considered for two new route buses, curriculum updates in science and social studies, additional Academic Opportunity Center days, as well as additional staff positions such as the third JR/SR high science teacher and the third kindergarten teacher.
Rahe noted that the ESSER funds don’t have to be used right away but are specific as to what they can be used for.
ESSER 1 funds were used for teacher salaries and benefits, and ESSER 2 funds could be used for the same.
ESSER 2 funds don’t have to be used until December of 2022, and ESSER 3 stimulus funds must be spent by September of 2023, added Rahe.
Typically every 10 years, the track will need to be resurfaced and repainted. Rahe said a recent assessment for the district’s track says it could extend to 12 years.
While it had been recommended to set aside $10,000 a year toward the track project, that money from the last several years got absorbed back into the reserves.
With the Building Excellent Schools Today project, a separate building fund was started again. Rahe asked if the board wanted to catch up the track reserve and set it aside in a separate account to keep track of it better. He noted it would be $60,000-$70,000 to catch it up.
Rahe added it might not be a bad idea to designate an amount for a building fund in case it’s needed. Board member Jon Kleve liked the idea in order to stay away from putting classroom expenditures at risk for things that might come up unexpectedly.