Board approves 3‑year labor contract to raise starting pay for Douglas County Youth Center teachers

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Youth Center Education Association that raises starting pay for teachers at the Douglas County Youth Center.

Commissioner Rogers moved to approve Resolution H, seconded by Commissioner Morgan; the motion passed 7‑0.

Marco C. Martin, Douglas County administration, told commissioners the agreement covers calendar years 2025 through 2027 and “implements some new wage scales.” He said the contract covers three teacher classifications at the Douglas County Youth Center: general education teacher, special education teacher and physical education teacher.

Martin gave starting pay figures for 2025 included in the contract: $30.11 an hour for general education teachers and physical education teachers, and $32.20 an hour for special education teachers.

Sheriff Mark LaFleur, representing the Douglas County Youth Center, told the board the center has struggled to replace educators since the COVID‑19 pandemic and that the contract will help recruitment. “Since COVID, we’ve lost a few educators and [we’ve] had a difficult time replacing them. This contract gives us the ability to go out and be competitive and hire educators,” he said. He said the center currently has eight teachers and one career‑center person and that two more hires would reach the authorized complement of 10 teachers.

Commissioner Borgeson noted the county’s teaching costs under this contract are picked up by the state, not by county taxpayers; a representative confirmed those costs are funded by the state.

The resolution was part of the consent agenda and was approved as submitted.