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Colstrip board approves multiple hires and 2% raises for administrators and nonaffiliated staff amid debate over teacher pay
Summary
The board approved certified and classified hires, a 2% raise for the special education director and a 2% package for nonaffiliated staff; members debated teacher pay and whether administrators should receive smaller increases while teachers seek larger cost‑of‑living raises.
The Colstrip Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a slate of certified and classified hires for the 2026–27 school year and approved a series of proposed salary changes for certificated and non‑certificated employees.
On personnel, the board approved certified hires recommended by district staff, including pending emergency authorizations for several K–8 and secondary candidates. The board also approved a classified hire for custodian Javan Weber after a staff recommendation.
On salary matters, the board considered multiple recommendations from district administration. A proposed $78,000 salary for a curriculum director was presented but the agenda item lacked a second and did not proceed to a final vote in that form. The board moved forward on a proposed high‑school principal salary ($114,964 for a 230‑day contract) and approved it following discussion.
Members debated pay equity between teachers and administrators. One board member (speaker 3) pressed for larger increases for teachers, saying teachers "need a cost of living raise of 3% this year and next year" and criticized administrator raises when classroom staff remain behind on pay. Other members noted the district's funding mechanics and pointed to the Montana School Boards Association as a venue for advocacy.
The board approved a 2% raise for the special education director after members noted a spreadsheet discrepancy in the original listed figure. The maintenance director and business manager were proposed for 2% increases; roll‑call votes recorded at least one dissent on the business manager motion. The board also approved a grouped 2% increase for recommended nonaffiliated staff for 2026–27.
Votes recorded in the meeting transcript used roll‑call responses (members answered "Aye" or "No" as their names were called); the transcript records individual roll‑call responses during each motion. The board moved on to additional agenda items after the personnel votes.
Next steps: Administrative hires and new contracts will be processed by district staff; the board indicated continued concern about teacher compensation and discussed advocacy options at the state level.
