Board adopts 2025–26 general fund and salary schedules including $47,000 teacher starting pay

The Clay County Board of Education voted to adopt the 2025–26 general purpose school budget, the school nutrition budget and updated salary schedules for certified and support personnel, including a new teacher starting salary of $47,000 and a $0.75 hourly raise for support staff.

Board members said the proposed general fund budget reflects changes discussed in the planning session and includes line items to meet the state-required increase to teacher starting pay. The chair noted the budget “does include the raise to get our teachers’ starting pay to the state bill” and also reflects the 75-cent raise for noncertified staff.

During discussion, staff said the packet included the proposed certified personnel salary schedule showing the new starting salary (bachelor-level teachers and principals at $47,000) and that director salary schedules also were aligned with certified pay where applicable. The support personnel schedule also includes a new trainee position to replace expected retirements; the trainee rate is slightly below full-time pay.

A motion to adopt the 2025–26 general purpose school budget was made by Mister Ashlock and seconded by Mister Mains; the motion passed on voice vote. The school nutrition program budget was approved in a separate vote; the certified personnel salary schedule and the support personnel schedule (reflecting the raises and the trainee line) also passed by voice votes.

Board members and staff said the budgets incorporate the personnel raises required by state guidance and reflect rounding and audit adjustments the administration made since the planning session. No objections were recorded during the meeting.