School Board tables substitute salary schedule amid budget concerns for 2025-2026

The Independence School District Board of Education convened on April 8, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focusing on salary schedules and the career ladder plan for the upcoming school year.

The meeting began with discussions surrounding the approval of various salary guides for the 2025-2026 school year. A significant point of contention arose regarding the substitute teacher salary schedule. Board members debated whether to include this schedule in the current approval motion. After deliberation, a motion was made to table the substitute salary schedule for further review, allowing board members additional time to analyze comparative data from other districts. This motion received majority approval, effectively removing the substitute salary schedule from the immediate vote.

Following this, the board proceeded to vote on the remaining salary guides, excluding the substitute teachers. The motion passed with a majority vote, confirming the salary guides for the upcoming school year.

The meeting then shifted to the approval of the career ladder plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Minor amendments were proposed, including a change in the date for amending the career ladder plans from February 1 to February 2. The board clarified that the two-year teaching requirement for career ladder eligibility remained unchanged, with specific provisions for members of the armed forces and their spouses regarding teaching experience from other states. After a brief discussion to clarify the language of the amendments, the board voted in favor of the career ladder plan, which also passed unanimously.

In conclusion, the meeting effectively addressed the salary guides and career ladder plan, with the board prioritizing thorough review and clarity on the substitute teacher salary schedule. The next steps include further analysis of the substitute salary data before a decision is made in the following month.