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Board hears classified staff call for professional development and raises minimum wage concerns for some hourly positions
Summary
Classified employees and trustees pressed the district for clearer professional development for classified staff and asked for adjustments to some unclassified hourly rates that appear near or below minimum wage; district staff said adjustments and follow-up will be provided.
At the Newport‑Mesa Unified School District board meeting, classified staff representatives and trustees pressed the district for stronger professional development for classified employees and raised concerns that some unclassified and classified hourly salary steps appeared near or below current minimum-wage thresholds.
"Classified staff are a vital part of student successes and I ask that we receive the same consideration for professional development," said Amy Ching, president of the CSCA, urging the board to restore districtwide opportunities for classified professional learning that had lapsed.
Trustees and staff discussed the 4000-series personnel policies and associated hourly salary schedules. One trustee said, "some of the numbers are a couple of dollars below minimum wage," raising concern about unclassified hourly postings such as tutors and walk-on coaches. Ms. Olsen (district staff) responded that the district will return to the board to increase certain unclassified hourly rates "so that we maintain those at minimum wage" and explained that some roles (for example, stipended coaching roles) are governed by certificated stipends and Ed. Code requirements.
Staff clarified that athletic coaching positions are required by Education Code to be offered first to certificated staff and that stipends and R&R schedules drive much of the pay structure for those roles. The district said it will conduct targeted analyses when positions are flagged as being out of market and bring recommended adjustments to the board.
The discussion followed public comments that highlighted the value of professional development, teacher recognition and concerns about how Prop 28 arts funds are being distributed; the superintendent said staff will follow up directly with community members who raised specific funding questions.
No board vote was required on the personnel-policy informational item; staff described next steps as additional analysis and future actions to adjust schedules and provide clearer policy language and guidance to principals and hiring managers.
