School Board approves budget raising teacher salaries by $2,500 for 2025-2026

The Dorchester School District Two Board convened on June 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM for a meeting that focused on the approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget, facilities updates, personnel reports, and student enrollment recommendations.

The meeting commenced with a motion to approve the fiscal year 2026 budget, which was seconded and passed with a vote of 6 in favor and 1 absent. The budget includes a significant increase for teachers, with a $2,500 raise and an additional 3% increase for classified and certified staff. Board members expressed gratitude towards the county council for their support, emphasizing the positive impact on staff morale and retention.

Following the budget discussion, Jeff Smith and Tony Soules provided updates on various facilities projects. They reported substantial progress on several renovation and maintenance projects, including HVAC installations and flooring updates at multiple schools. Notably, the Oakbrook Middle School addition is approximately 50% complete, and the team anticipates finishing several projects by early August.

The board then moved to personnel matters, where Mr. Matthews reported that the district is currently 98.5% staffed for the upcoming school year. He highlighted ongoing recruitment efforts and expressed confidence in filling remaining positions soon. The board approved the personnel report unanimously.

Next, the board reviewed student enrollment recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year, which were also approved without opposition.

The meeting concluded with a public comment from Jason Brockert, who raised concerns about the district's handling of issues related to student mental health and teacher retention. He urged the board to prioritize these matters in future discussions.

The board adjourned the meeting without entering executive session, marking a productive end to the school year with a focus on enhancing educational resources and staff support.