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Bloomfield Hills board backs new salary schedule for non‑represented staff after budget debate
Summary
After extended discussion about budget impact and sustainability, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board approved a market‑based 14‑grade, 10‑step salary schedule for about 49 non‑represented employees; trustees asked for a multi‑year cost projection and one trustee abstained.
The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education voted May 18 to approve a new market‑based salary schedule for the district's non‑represented staff after an extended discussion about budgetary impact and long‑term sustainability.
Superintendent Rick West described the study, conducted by Jeff Romberg, and recommended a 14‑grade, 10‑step schedule intended to replace ad‑hoc individual salary decisions. "We did the work behind the scenes to take our current workforce and place them on the grades based upon the market analysis," West said, adding that placing current employees on the schedule would increase costs by about $190,000 (roughly 2.9%) next year compared with a $100,000 placeholder already in the budget.
Several trustees pressed for more time and additional projections. "I don't wanna be in a space where we're gonna be reducing staff," Trustee Michelle said, asking for a three‑year forecast of total compensation and related fringe‑benefit costs before committing to a recurring increase. Another trustee said the board could delay action and use the schedule as a compliance tool while working through administration details.
Board members debated tradeoffs between immediate budget strain and the need to be competitive for recruitment and retention. West said the schedule also addresses legal and compliance issues raised by prior ORS matters and gives the board annual control over step increases: "That would be sort of an annual process that... we would have to come to you and, were circumstances to change pretty significantly, the board could act accordingly," he said.
With the concerns aired, a motion to approve the salary schedules carried after trustees agreed to receive additional projection data; one trustee abstained from the final vote. The board noted the change would take effect for the 2026‑27 fiscal year so payroll and administration could be arranged.
Next steps: trustees requested a more detailed cost projection (including fringe benefit estimates) over a multi‑year horizon and asked administration to provide that data prior to the June meeting if possible. The board also reiterated it will review the schedule annually and retain authority to defer step increases in difficult financial conditions.
