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Lexington School District 4 board to post special meeting to present projected teacher salary schedule ahead of contract deadline
Summary
Facing state timing rules for written teacher notifications, the board agreed to convert an upcoming workshop to a special meeting to publish a projected certified salary schedule to aid recruitment while committing to update it if state/local appropriations change.
Board members discussed switching an upcoming budget workshop to a posted special meeting so administration can present a projected teacher salary schedule before the May 1 contract notification deadline required by state law (Educator Assistance Act).
Administrators and board leaders said that providing a projected salary schedule alongside teacher contracts will help the district remain competitive during hiring season and avoid disadvantaging candidates comparing offers across districts. Shelley (finance presenter) and other staff summarized state budget indications — notably a House proposal to raise the state teacher salary schedule by $2,000 per cell, which would lift the state minimum toward $50,500 — and reviewed modeled local impacts on steps, support schedules and total personnel costs.
Finance staff outlined projected revenue assumptions: modest local tax growth (~$145,000), an estimated $941,000 increase in state aid to classroom under current House figures, and a $229,000 projected increase in tier‑three state revenue. They also highlighted cost drivers: salary/benefits constitute roughly 87–88% of the operating budget and a number of scenarios (step increases, schedule calibrations, 2% support staff increases) would consume most of new revenue. Staff also noted a $327,000 reclassification of vocational teacher funding to a separate state fund that would reduce general‑fund expenditures.
Board members cited the district’s long record of fiscal stewardship and said the administration will not recommend a millage increase as part of the projected schedule; they emphasized that if state or local revenues shift materially, the schedule will be updated and redistributed to teachers after appropriations are finalized.
The board supported posting the meeting as a special meeting (April 27) so the administration can provide a first reading of a projected schedule and meet the May 1 notification requirement; the board discussed but did not yet adopt a final salary schedule. Administration said finalization will follow state and local appropriation actions and any subsequent adjustments will be communicated to certificated staff.
