Teacher says district salary-lane error left her owed roughly $21,500; board to verify

Liz Grutz, a middle-school special education teacher with the Mineral Point Unified School District, told the joint Finance/Personnel Committee on May 4 that she earned a master’s degree in June 2021 but her pay lane was never updated from the bachelor’s level. She said the discrepancy was discovered in January and estimated back pay at about $21,500 for three years (about $28,500 if an additional year is included).

"She believed she was being paid correctly," the minutes record. Grutz told trustees the error appeared unintentional and said she remains committed to the district while seeking a fair resolution. Committee members asked why the error was not detected earlier and whether other employees might have similar placement mistakes. The administration acknowledged administrative turnover and complex pay structures as likely contributors.

Trustees discussed verification steps and repayment options, including phased payouts, step increases, or structured payments, and emphasized any payment should not be contingent on continued employment. The committee did not vote to approve a payout at the meeting; it agreed the district likely owes compensation pending verification of eligibility and years in which lane movement was permitted.