School board approves 3% inclusive salary scales for 2025–26; contracts contingent on final budget

The Warren County School Board on May 7 approved proposed salary scales for fiscal year 2025–26 that carry a 3 percent increase inclusive of step across all grades and classifications.

Administration told the board the scales are intended to keep WCPS competitive and to allow human-resources staff to issue contracts before the district's final budget is adopted. Dr. Ballinger and finance staff emphasized that all contracts are contingent on final board budget approval and subject to change.

A board finance official warned that failing to adopt the 3% scale could jeopardize state incentive funding linked to meeting statutory pay increases; one board member said not approving the required increase could risk losing the state's incentive amount (a figure discussed in the meeting as approximately $1.4 million). The board approved the salary scales by voice vote.

Why it matters: salary scales affect hiring, retention and the division's personnel budget. Board members described the vote as an administrative step to allow contract issuance while budget negotiations with the county continue.