Waterloo Board approves substitute pay increases, personnel contracts and retirements

The Waterloo Board of Education voted Feb. 12 to approve multiple personnel recommendations from Superintendent (speaker 2), including raises for substitute rates, acceptance of resignations and a teacher retirement, and several limited-term and supplemental coaching contracts.

Superintendent (speaker 2) told the board he recommended raising substitute pay to make the district more competitive: bus driver substitutes to $17.27 an hour, non-CDL van driver substitutes to $14.88 an hour, aide/cafeteria/secretary substitutes from $11.00 to $13.34 an hour, and custodian/utility substitutes to $14.34 an hour. "This makes us a little bit more competitive," the superintendent said, adding the change should allow certified staff with a Commercial Driver's License to step in more readily when needed.

The board approved resignations recommended by the superintendent: David Moore (bus driver and cafeteria assistant) and Renee Jackson (teacher). The board also approved a retirement for a teacher effective May 31, 2026, after 30 years of service.

The board approved a one-year limited contract for Jackie Murdock as an aide (step 8, effective Feb. 1, 2026) and a one-year limited bus-driver contract for Lee Harris (step 13, effective Feb. 2, 2026). Superintendent (speaker 2) explained that "step" references are tied to years of experience used to determine placement on the salary schedule.

Supplemental and coaching contracts for the 2025-26 school year were approved contingent on meeting state eligibility requirements. The list approved includes Mackenzie Keener (assistant softball coach); Gavin Corbett and Bradley Norris (assistant baseball coaches); volunteer coaches Kyle Blitz and Bone Cooksey; and assistant track coaches Susan Martin, Brady Jones and Christina Guth.

Board procedure: each recommendation was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote recorded in the meeting minutes.