Blue Springs teachers to see a paycheck boost

By Kelly Evenson

kelly.evenson@examiner.net

Although teachers and staff in the Blue Springs School District will not see a huge increase in their salaries next year, they will see some additional money.

The Blue Springs Board of Education discussed the salary proposal for the 2008-09 school year Tuesday.

The proposal would increase the base teacher’s salary from $33,500 to $34,000 next year. Kirk Sampson, member of the Blueprint salary committee, said other steps on the schedule would increase between 1.5 percent on the low end to as much as 5 percent, depending on the number of graduate hours taken and years of service in the district. The longevity step will increase 3.07 percent to $67,021 in the fall. This is the highest step on the district’s salary schedule.

“The economy is not doing its best and with the way gas prices are, we are just thankful for the process we have,” he said. “We wanted to focus on increasing the schedule in percentages because the same thing happens to those on the classified salary schedule as well.”

Teachers can move up a step each year based on the number of years they have worked in the district. They can also move across a step based on the number of graduate hours they have received that year.

Classified staff, which includes anyone who is not a certified teacher, would receive the same percentage increase as teachers.

Sampson said if the increase in board paid health insurance and lateral movement on the schedule is taken into consideration, some staff members could see salary and benefits increase more than 5 percent next year.

“We are definitely pleased with the process we have in place,” he said. “Things go well with the administration and the board, and we are thankful to have this opportunity.”

Superintendent Paul Kinder agreed.

“I want to commend the Blueprint committee for continuing to do a good job (when it comes to the salary proposal” he said. “Our recommendation is to approve the salary proposal.”

The board will consider the salary proposal May 12.