Centura board approves classified and administrator pay raises, and a bus-driver stipend increase

At its March 9 meeting, the Centura Public Schools Board approved several compensation actions intended to address recruitment and retention. The board authorized a 4% wage increase for hourly classified employees, a $1,000 increase to the base pay for regular bus route drivers, renewed contracts for building administrators with a 4% salary increase, and a superintendent contract that includes a 3.2% raise.

Superintendent Dr. Kaela Heneger told the board administrators and business staff had reviewed the budget impacts and emphasized difficulty recruiting bus drivers, noting the district’s current salary structure is among the lowest in the area. Following her presentation, the board voted unanimously to adopt the classified wage increase and the bus-driver increase.

The board moved into a closed session at 7:38 p.m. under the Nebraska Open Meetings Act to discuss personnel compensation for the High School Principal, Elementary Principal and Dean of Students/Activity Director. After reconvening at 8:08 p.m., the board approved the three administrative contracts for the 2026–27 school year, each including a 4% salary increase. The superintendent’s contract was approved separately with a 3.2% salary increase.

Votes at a glance: approval of a 4% wage increase for hourly classified employees (motion by Teresa Grabowski, second Brooke Schmitt), approval of a $1,000 base pay increase for bus drivers (motion by Brooke Schmitt, second by Todd Nitsch), approval of administrative contracts after closed session (motion by Brooke Schmitt, second Todd Nitsch), and approval of the superintendent contract (motion by Brooke Schmitt, second Teresa Grabowski). Each action passed unanimously among present members.

What happens next: district administrators will implement the payroll changes and finalize contracts for the administrators and superintendent in line with board direction.