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Board approves one-time movement for approved credits and longevity bumps; administration authorized to negotiate base wages
Summary
The board approved compensation changes including learning-based credit payouts, a one-time rollover for previously earned credits and longevity stipends for eligible certified staff and authorized administration to begin collective bargaining over base wages with the teachers’ association within the CPI cap.
The Port Washington-Saukville School District board approved multiple compensation elements for eligible certified staff and authorized administration to enter collective bargaining on base wages with the teachers’ association.
What the board approved: The board approved (1) payment of learning-based credits (LBCs) at $125 per approved course, up to four courses ($500 maximum) as an addition to base pay for participating staff; (2) a one-time rollover payment to credit holders who had approved coursework under the old scale (a transitional adjustment so previously approved but not yet paid course credits are recognized); and (3) longevity bumps of $1,000 for employees under $70,000 with six or more years of district service. The board recorded that all increases are included in the 2025-26 budget and that these are base-wage changes rather than one-time stipends.
Compensation process and negotiation: District administrators explained the compensation model includes four buckets: LBCs, master’s/transfer credits, longevity bumps and the CPI-based negotiated base-wage increase. The district computed a total certified-staff compensation pool and said that after paying LBCs, rollover credits and longevity amounts the remaining funds would be subject to collective bargaining with the Port Washington Stockville Education Association (PWRCEA). The administration moved and the board approved a motion authorizing the administration to begin collective bargaining regarding base wages for 2025-26 consistent with Wisconsin statutes and the WERC CPI cap.
Board action: Motions to approve the specified compensation elements and to authorize collective bargaining were moved and seconded; roll-call votes were recorded in favor on both items.
Implementation notes: Staff said the district will process LBCs this summer and that a small number of credit conversions will be paid in 2026-27 for timing reasons. Administrators emphasized that the new system moves those approved increases onto base salary rather than paying non-base stipends.
