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Board approves pilot pay scale increases for school nutrition staff funded from school nutrition budget
Summary
The board approved a revised pay scale for school nutrition staff to be piloted starting in August, raising baseline hourly rates, adding differentiation between roles, and including a local supplement; funding will come from the school nutrition department budget.
Lexington, N.C. — The Lexington City School Board on July 15 approved a pilot pay scale for school nutrition employees that raises baseline hourly rates, creates pay differentiation by role and includes a local supplement; the increases will be funded from the school nutrition department's own budget.
The board was presented a proposed pay scale to begin in August for school nutrition assistants, assistant managers, managers and substitutes. Under the proposal, school nutrition assistants would start at $16.75 per hour, substitutes at $16.25, with higher rates for assistant managers and managers. The plan also includes a 3% local supplement for school nutrition staff and a small longevity increase (2% every five years), the presenter said. One existing employee would be held harmless and remain at their current rate while receiving future state increases.
Why it matters: The district framed the change as a pilot to test financial impacts within a self‑sustaining budget. The board will use the results to consider a broader classified pay schedule in a future board action.
Board discussion focused on the choice to pilot the scale in the nutrition department because it is self‑sustaining. The presenter said the department has a separate fund balance that allows the district to test adjustments without reallocating other operating funds. A board member asked if other areas have similarly self‑sustaining funds; the presenter said they do not.
Motion and outcome: Miss Hathaway moved to approve the proposed school nutrition pay scale; Miss Hinkle seconded. The motion carried.
Next steps: The pilot will start in August. Staff will monitor financial impacts and return to the board with recommendations for classified positions in the 2026–27 budget cycle if appropriate.
