For weeks, Trigg County Schools Chief Finance Officer Holly Greene and other district officials have been reviewing the upcoming salary schedule for all staff and personnel across the campuses.
During Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting, she made the recommendation for an across-the-board 5% raise — one that would go into effect under the next budget cycle if approved at its second reading.
Greene said the measures of confidence are based on changes in Kentucky legislation, changes in overall funding mechanisms and changes in the staffing formula — particularly as the new CTE building begins its operations during the 2024-25 school year.
It’s worth noting that a 5% raise is the district’s largest in at least the last five years.
In 2020, no raise was given due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, 1% was approved.
In 2022, 2% was approved aside from four groups: custodians, food service workers, bus monitors and nurses, who instead received targeted raises and nuanced improvements in order to better compete in the west Kentucky and northwest Tennessee job markets.
In 2023, board members stood firm on unchanged pay scales due to significant drops in average daily attendance, the state’s muffling of SEEK funding per child, and a tight budget not related to campus construction — since staff and building funds are not the same.
Greene, board member Charlene Sheehan and Superintendent Bill Thorpe also discussed how the pay levels at Trigg County are now less convoluted.
Director of Pupil Personnel James Mangels also confirmed that school attendance is approaching pre-COVID levels — and back up to nearly 94%.
In other school news:
— Sheehan brought up what she called “sincere concerns” about Spring Break student trips, particularly Florida.
In back-to-back years, she stated she’s received information from parents about irresponsible behavior, an apparent lack of rules and regulations, and that the loose nature of the excursions needed to be rectified.
— Food Services Director Lisa Marsh notified the board that she has applied for a “Fresh Fruit & Vegetables” grant through the US Department of Agriculture, which, if approved, would provide unique, healthy snacking options for primary school students, teachers and staff with possible teaching lessons and messaging for the classroom.
She said the grant’s value is estimated between $50,000 and $150,000, depending on allotments.
