Milton board approves 2025–26 personnel and pay changes for activities and staff

The Milton School District Board of Education approved a package of personnel and compensation changes affecting school activities and employees at its late‑May meeting.

The changes include reclassifying Milton High School (MHS) marching-band assistant directors from contracted services to regular payroll positions with stipends for summer and fall programs and the newly created indoor winter marching ensemble; a newly authorized coach position to separate girls wrestling from boys wrestling; revised seasonal, occasional and temporary employee rates for 2025–26; a one‑time $1,500 payment to a lead teacher for extra duties while an administrator was absent; support‑staff letters of employment reflecting previously approved 4% base‑wage adjustments; and updated supervisor and administrator contracts that implement market and performance adjustments and a longevity stipend for employees with 20 or more years of service.

The board’s HR committee presented the package, saying administration analyzed hours, staff levels and student participation when recommending the marching‑band reclassification. Administration also said the wrestling addition was necessary as girls wrestling is being fully separated from boys wrestling and anticipated participation for girls is expected to grow. The one‑time payment was described as compensation for additional responsibilities taken on since January while an administrator was absent.

Board members moved and approved each item by voice vote. The meeting record notes motions and seconders for specific items (for example, the marching‑band stipend schedule was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote; the additional coach and the seasonal rate changes also passed on voice votes). Detailed roll‑call tallies were not provided in the transcript.

The board and administration framed the actions as operational and personnel decisions to align pay practices with comparable roles (for example, treating assistant directors like assistant coaches) and to ensure adequate supervision and instruction for growing programs.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included that the marching‑band reclassification covers summer and fall marching programs and the indoor winter ensemble, that the wrestling change creates a coach position dedicated to girls wrestling, and that the supervisor contract adjustments apply to staff whose salaries are more than 5% below the comparator median. The support‑staff pay adjustments implement a previously approved 4% base‑wage increase and pending step/longevity increases.

Board members and administration said implementation steps (payroll coding, contract updates and issuing letters of employment) have been started by HR and payroll staff and that some summer‑session staffing levels (June/July/August) will be confirmed in a subsequent board presentation.

The board’s action was limited to approving the personnel and contract documents presented; no additional policy changes or new funding sources were identified in the discussion.