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Board approves $1/hour tier-3 ESP raise, holiday reinstatement and 2.95% base wage increase; AST adjustments tabled
Summary
The board approved a $1/hour market adjustment to tier-3 ESP positions (estimated $290,000), reinstated pre-Act 10 holidays for 10-month benefit-eligible noncontract staff (estimated $139,000), and ratified a 2.95% base-wage increase for most employee groups while tabling AST group adjustments until the August meeting.
The Kenosha Unified School Board on July 22 approved multiple personnel and compensation actions intended to address vacancies and cost-of-living adjustments across employee groups.
The board approved a market-adjustment of $1 per hour for every step in the Tier 3 Educational Support Personnel (ESP) salary schedule, a measure presented by district HR and finance staff to address a roughly 10% vacancy rate in tier-3 roles (about 18 vacancies out of ~184 positions). Administration estimated the full annual base cost of that market adjustment at about $290,000, with some offset from nonoperational funding sources. The motion to approve was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.
The board also approved reinstating two holidays for 10-month, benefit-eligible noncontract employees (the day before Christmas and the day before New Year—s Day) that were removed following prior handbook revisions. District staff estimated the cost at approximately $139,000, again with some budget offsets from nonoperational sources.
Separately the board ratified administration—s recommendation to implement the negotiated Kenosha Education Association agreement and a 2.95% base-wage increase effective July 1, 2025, for represented KEA members and for regular full-time employees not represented by KEA. The board moved to approve the increase across bargaining units while tabling the Administrative/Supervisory/Technical (AST) group—s increase for discussion at the August regular meeting so the board can review comparative market data. The motion passed with the chair voting no and the majority voting aye.
Board members discussed equity implications and the need to evaluate possible alternatives for time-sheet employees and sub custodians; administration noted differences in funding mechanisms for different groups (e.g., food service positions are funded from fund 50) and committed to returning with additional analysis in August.
Next steps: Administration will bring back market-comparison data and additional information on time-sheet and other nonrepresented groups at the August meeting, as requested.
