District finance officer says 8.5% ECA funding is calculated off state model salary, not local base

Janie Wilson, the district staff member presenting the financial report, addressed social-media claims that Platte County School District #1 failed to pass an 8.5% pay increase for educators.

Wilson explained that the state’s 8.5% educator compensation adjustment (ECA) is calculated off a state “model salary” rather than each district’s existing pay scale. She said the model salary used for the calculation was roughly $44,108 and that Platte County School District #1’s starting teacher salary is currently higher — given in the meeting as $50,006.43 — meaning the district was already above the model before the ECA adjustment.

Wilson told the board the district had anticipated receiving $415,000 in ECA-related funds and described how those monies were allocated in negotiations: steps and lanes ($64,000), insurance increases ($125,000), a salary schedule increase ($47,000), classified salary increases ($98,000), administration ($18,000) and other adjustments such as coaches and substitute pay. She said the total matched the $415,000 estimate but noted continued uncertainty during state data validation and funding reconciliation.

Board members asked whether the 8.5% was required to be passed through to teachers directly; Wilson and the superintendent replied that districts had discretion on how block ECA funds were used and that Platte County applied the funds to staff compensation and benefits consistent with local negotiations.

Next steps: district staff will continue data validation with the state and the board encouraged constituents to contact legislators with questions about state tax changes and funding levels.