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Pullman School Board delays vote on 2026–27 salary schedules after lengthy review request
Summary
After extended debate and a procedural split of the personnel report, the board approved certified/classified hires and supplemental stipends but voted to postpone action on the 2026–27 salary wage schedules until its May 13 meeting to allow additional review and clarification.
The Pullman School District Board of Directors on Monday approved several personnel items but postponed a final vote on the 2026–27 salary wage schedules until its May 13 meeting after at least one director asked for more time to review updated documents.
Board members voted separately to accept certified and classified personnel recommendations and to approve supplemental stipend payments. But debate focused on whether the administrative and ESP (educational support personnel) salary schedules — two files updated shortly before the meeting — had been reviewed sufficiently by all members. One director raised concerns that some board members had not had time to compare the updated schedules with prior years or understand how collective bargaining agreements had shaped the new numbers.
"My intent is not to delay any of the other personnel issues," one director said, adding she wanted to do "my due diligence and be sure that I understand everything." The board then voted to divide the personnel question into subparts and, after a brief recess to confirm procedural options, approved the hires and stipends while moving the salary schedules to the May meeting for further consideration.
Administrators told the board the salary schedules had been discussed in the finance committee and were built into the proposed budget. The district's finance staff said the proposed administrative salary changes were intended to improve recruitment and retention after several administrators left for teaching roles.
The chair said the schedules would return on May 13 and that the board expects members to submit additional questions in the interim. The board did not record roll-call tallies for the voice votes taken on these items.
