Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Staff Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teachers and Support Staff Tell Board the COLA Matters for Retention
Summary
Multiple teachers and education support professionals told the board the proposed levy increase is necessary to retain staff, with speakers describing low pay for paraeducators and saying modest COLAs make a tangible difference in remaining with the district.
Several educators and district employees spoke in favor of the tax increase during public comment, telling the board modest cost‑of‑living increases would help retain staff and make it possible for workers to sustain families.
Richard Moore, who identified himself as an AFM at Draper Park Middle School and a leader in the Canyons ESP Association, described paraeducators and nutrition workers at the low end of the pay scale and urged the board to support an ESP COLA so staff can remain in district jobs rather than leave for higher private‑sector pay. "This kind of cost of living increase represents the kind of change for some paraeducators... that makes someone decide, I can stay with the district," Moore said.
Teacher Benjamin Kaiser told the board the COLA would help teachers contemplating family formation and said educators view such increases as essential. Krista Pippen and other commenters noted roughly $2.2 million of the proposed revenue would go to employee compensation, which proponents said supports recruitment and retention amid statewide funding declines.
