Teachers, union urge Washington Elementary board to fix pay gap between new hires and returning staff

At the Washington Elementary School District governing board meeting on Aug. 14, 2025, seven district employees and the WDEA union urged the board to address what speakers described as a growing salary inequity: a new-hire salary placement the speakers said pays some recently hired teachers thousands of dollars more than experienced district staff.

The concern centered on a salary placement schedule that speakers said appears on the district website and that they said results in “salary compression” — a situation where new hires receive starting pay higher than returning teachers with equal or greater experience. Jamie Peterson, a student services specialist at Royal Palm Middle School, told the board she would earn about $7,000 more if she were hired today under the new schedule.

"If I walked into WESD today as a brand new hire, I'd be offered $7,000 more than what I'm making after 4 years of service and dedication," Jamie Peterson said. She said the gap is forcing experienced educators to consider leaving the district.

Se…