Linn‑Mar board approves multiple staff pay packages, raises education assistants to as much as $17 an hour

The Linn‑Mar Community School District Board of Directors approved a slate of compensation actions for fiscal 2025–26 affecting several employee groups, including part‑time nutrition staff, transportation staff, the Linn‑Mar Service Association (LMSA), the district’s secretarial and education assistant association, and administrators and managers.

Board motions approved the following total package increases as presented in the meeting packet: 2.58% for part‑time nutrition services staff; 2.57% for transportation department staff; 2.59% for the Linn‑Mar Service Association (LMSA); and 2.57% for administrators, managers, exempt and nonexempt staff. The board also approved an 8.55% total package increase for the Linn‑Mar Secretarial and Education Assistant Association. Board members said the larger increase for the secretarial and education assistant group reflected an intentional effort to raise pay for student support associates and special‑education staff; during discussion a board member said the increase moves those positions “up to $17 an hour.”

Board members repeatedly thanked staff for negotiating and preparing the proposals. One director said the higher percentage for the secretarial and education assistant group “answers any questions as to why it’s an 8.55% — we’re moving the needle on those much‑needed positions.”

Votes were recorded by roll call for each package. Most motions carried with unanimous yes votes; on the administrators’ package one board member abstained. Motion makers and seconders were recorded in the meeting minutes for each item (examples: the administrators’ package was moved by Justin and seconded by Laura; the secretarial and education assistant package was moved by Britt and seconded by Midhat). The board’s consent on these items authorizes staff to implement the pay adjustments for the coming fiscal year.

District staff and board members framed these adjustments as part of ongoing efforts to keep compensation competitive, sustain programs and support student needs by strengthening pay for roles that directly support students in classrooms and special‑education settings.

The board also approved other routine items in the meeting — student fee schedules, fundraising requests and open enrollment approvals — but the compensation decisions were the most substantive personnel actions taken that evening.