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Board approves third-level administrators contract despite questions about budget impact
Summary
Directors approved the third-level administrators master agreement (item F1) after debate about longevity pay and its effect on district deficit and fund balance; administration said the contract fits budget parameters but agreed to provide more detailed deficit figures on request.
The Elk River School District board voted Nov. 10 to approve a master agreement for third-level administrators (consent agenda item F1) after Director Noros asked the board to pull the item for discussion and raised concerns about budget impacts.
Director Noros said the contract's added longevity pay could push administrators' raises closer to a 10% increase, higher than recent teacher settlements, and asked how the agreement would affect an already-discussed deficit. "The step increases are the same and the percentages are the same... but they added longevity pay and that... puts them at closer to... more of a 10% so it's a significantly higher contract than what we just gave our teachers," Noros said.
Superintendent Olmos responded that the administration would not bring a contract that exceeds the budget parameters set in closed-session parameters (including maintaining an 8% fund balance) and offered to provide a more detailed breakdown if the board wanted it. Olmos said bargaining outcomes vary by group and the settlement fits the parameters the board set.
The board voted to approve F1 by voice vote. Administration noted additional bargaining groups remain and that approving F1 would avoid delaying a settlement that could otherwise be sent back to bargaining and slow other negotiations.
Directors asked staff to provide more detailed deficit and fund-balance implications for remaining negotiations and future budgeting discussions.
