Local teachers’ representative urges pay-scale review, more staff and communication radios for small schools

A representative of the Pennsylvania Education Association (PEA) asked the school board on Aug. 12 to review low-tier salary rates, remove longevity caps on certain positions and take other measures to address a large number of open positions across the division. The speaker, identified in the meeting as Mr. Hale representing the PEA, said the division currently has posted vacancies that include two psychologist positions, two counselor positions, 27 teacher and aide openings, four cafeteria jobs (part- and full-time) and 10 custodial positions. He said many schools routinely operate understaffed and that some employees are “wearing several hats.” Hale urged the board and administration to review the lowest tiers in the pay scale quickly and to remove a 25-year cap on pay scales for roles such as psychologists, maintenance and administrative assistants to retain experienced staff. He said starting salaries in the district are being outpaced by neighboring divisions and non-school employers. Hale also praised newly installed digital bus radios and asked the board to consider assigning districts to separate radio bands so Dan River communications do not overlap with Gretna, and he requested a safety review to consider a small stipend to provide handheld radios to smaller schools that cannot purchase them through PTO or fundraising. The representative also asked the division to evaluate communications and monitoring in protective “vault” areas that administrators would use during emergencies, noting cell signals have become harder to receive in some buildings after solar-panel installations. Superintendent Mayhew and security staff acknowledged the concerns and said administration will pursue reviews, coordinate with finance and seek grant funding where appropriate. Board members did not take an immediate vote on pay changes during the meeting; they asked staff to return with analysis and potential metrics for distributing any funds.