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Waterford presents proposal to raise GSRP lead-teacher wages; board to consider action next meeting
Summary
District staff presented a proposal to revise the wage scale for Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) lead teachers, using increased state funding to boost pay and expand the program to five days a week; board will consider action at the next regular meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Holly presented an informational proposal to change the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) lead-teacher wage scale and expand GSRP from four to five days per week in 2025–26. The proposal would use state-designated GSRP funding and is intended to help recruit and retain teachers with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in early childhood education.
Holly said current lead-teacher hourly rates are $25.50 to $29.26 with four steps but no additional compensation specifically for bachelors or masters degrees. The district and an Oakland County work group are considering a starting rate near $27.50 for lead teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree. Holly described four proposed scales: a basic scale (two steps for new teachers under a compliance plan), scale 2 (bachelor’s in early childhood), scale 3 (bachelor’s plus teaching endorsement including pre-K), and scale 4 (master’s degree). The administration modeled a conservative budget scenario assuming many teachers could qualify at the master’s level to ensure sustainability.
Holly said the district expects an increase in GSRP revenue per pupil from about $9,200 to slightly over $11,000 as the program moves to five days, producing an increase in total GSRP-related revenue from roughly $2.9 million to a little over $4.0 million — an incremental increase of about $1 million for 2025–26. The administration’s projection shows a surplus for each of the next five years under the proposed scales.
Why it matters: The change would affect compensation for lead teachers in the district’s early-childhood program and could affect recruitment and retention. Holly said GSRP-designated funds cannot supplant general-fund dollars and must be used only for the GSRP program.
Board next steps: Holly said the administration intends to present the proposal for board action at the next regular meeting to align with hiring and retention needs ahead of summer recruiting.
Ending: Trustees asked clarifying questions about affordability and comparisons to neighboring districts. Member Torres and others noted the change is designed to keep Waterford competitive with nearby districts and to preserve the Stepanski program.
