Collierville board approves 3% COLA, one-time bonuses and 2025–26 calendar changes

The Collierville School Board approved a proposed fiscal-year budget that includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for all employees, new step increases for eligible teachers, and a district-funded $500 one-time bonus for qualifying employees, board members said Monday.

The budget the board approved also includes a $250 one-time bonus for qualifying substitutes, the district will absorb an increase in health-insurance costs rather than pass it to employees, and officials allocated $6,224,491 toward teacher salaries and benefits. “The cost-of-living increase is a 3% increase for all employees for the next school year,” Dr. Dyer, superintendent, said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The board’s vote sets local spending priorities and staffing levels for the coming school year, but the budget must also be submitted to the town government for final adoption. The board’s approval starts the statutory process that leads to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen presentation on May 27 and expected town-level adoption on June 9, officials said.

Most important details

Budget and pay: The proposed budget contains a 3% COLA for all…