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Board discusses pay adjustments for speech‑language pathologists and LPNs, crowdfunding procedure and job‑description updates
Summary
Board members reviewed market research showing contracted speech‑language pathologists often earn above the master's-column salary and discussed raising district pay (contracted SLPs currently paid $70/hour); leaders also reviewed LPN pay, a proposed crowdfunding approval procedure, and job‑description updates to be returned for later board action.
The ODESSA R‑VII Board discussed several personnel and policy items, including potential pay changes for speech‑language pathologists and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), a proposed crowdfunding procedure to govern staff fundraising, and updates to job descriptions for 'Parents as Teachers' and elementary library/media specialists.
On speech‑language pathology, staff reported that market research shows peer districts commonly pay SLPs above the master's‑column salary on the district schedule. The board heard that current contracted SLPs are paid $70 per hour and that increasing in‑district pay could reduce reliance on expensive contract hours and increase total in‑district service hours. Administrators said recruiting SLPs is difficult and that raising pay could improve retention and allow conversion of contract hours into full‑time staff hours, with net fiscal impacts depending on local contract volumes.
Board members also discussed LPN salaries after receiving comparative pay data; staff noted the district had historically combined some health‑aid/CNA paylines with LPN pay and recommended returning later with a specific action proposal.
Separately, staff introduced a crowdfunding procedure and approval form intended to regulate staff‑initiated fundraising. Administrators said the policy is intended to prevent solicitations for items the district is responsible for providing and to create consistent messaging to families. The proposed process would require prior review and approval before a staff member launches a crowdfunding campaign on behalf of a classroom or school organization.
Job descriptions for Parents as Teachers (to be aligned under early childhood) and the elementary library/media specialist were presented for update; staff will return with revised job descriptions for board approval at the April meeting.
Board members generally supported further study and asked staff to return with concrete salary recommendations and cost estimates before any formal pay changes are presented for a vote.
