Marion County School Board approves $1/hour amendment for lunchroom workers and custodians and adopts FY27 salary handbook

Marion County School District trustees voted to amend and then approve the proposed fiscal year 2027 salary handbook, adding a one-dollar-an-hour increase for lunchroom workers and custodial staff.

Board discussion centered on timing and budget constraints. A board member said the district had not yet finalized the budget and recommended amending the handbook to reflect a $1/hour increase for certain non-certified workers; another member asked for a motion to amend and then for a formal vote. The motion to amend the handbook passed and the board then approved the handbook as amended.

District staff noted state-mandated raises for certified staff and teacher assistants were expected to increase personnel costs and that the state had not fully funded the mandated raises, creating an estimated funding gap of roughly $138,000 the board had to consider during budgeting. The superintendent and members acknowledged the district’s desire to address pay for classified staff (custodians and lunchroom workers) after recent staffing reductions and increased duties.

The handbook action included routine salary-handbook items (supplements, stipends, reemployment lists and calendar adjustments) already on the agenda; the $1/hour amendment was explicitly moved, seconded and approved during the 10.11 agenda discussion.

The board did not identify a final budget appropriation at the meeting; members agreed to consider mechanics for implementing the change once the district’s final budget is finalized in the upcoming cycle.