TCSD '07-08 budget buys pay hikes, new technology

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

By Sam Petri

The Teton County School Board approved the districtwide budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year last Wednesday. The document lists in detail $32,902,597 in revenues and $32,567,266 in expenditures.

During last week’s meeting District Finance Director Matt Rodosky helped break down the numbers. Generally, 82 percent of expenditures will be allotted to compensation and 18 percent will be spent on other costs.

“Everything is driven by the funding model,” Rodosky said, referring to the Wyoming Department of Education formula that dictates how much money school districts are allotted each year, based largely upon student enrolment. “Nothing in here overcompensates.”

Salaries rose 2.8 percent from last year due to the cost of living. Over all, our teacher salaries are 37 percent higher than the state average because of our county’s cost of living.

As it stands, teachers’ base salaries in Teton County start at $51,400, a number that is recalibrated from Wyoming’s current state average base salary of $39,040. TCSD’s average teacher salary is $60,270, whereas the statewide average is near $46,000.

“Around the state, according to the [Wyoming Education Association], we are about 32 percent above the average settlement,” Rodosky said. “I suspect we’ll end up over 36 to 38 percent over the average. Last year we were at 38 percent over.”

Because not every school in Wyoming has finalized their budget yet, state averages have yet to be finalized.

“In my mind, it’s very important to maintain at least 38 percent over the state average,” Said Rodosky.

School district teacher salaries in Wyoming are based on three things: average level of education, average years of experience, and cost of living in the area. Rodosky said TCSD has a high level of education, but fewer years of experience compared to state averages. The largest part of Teton County teachers’ recalibrated salary, however, is determined by the cost of living in the area.

The more teachers at Teton County School District who gain master’s degrees and doctorates, the more funding the state will give TCSD, which in turn will bump up the over all average salary. Also, the more experience they gain collectively, the state will allot them a higher salary.

Aside from 82 percent of the budget being spent on compensation, of the 18 percent spent on other costs, $375,000 has been allotted for classroom technology. This budget item will be used when teachers express the need for improved technology in their classroom.

“We have a need for improving technology in our school and defining what a classroom needs,” said Superintendent Pam Shea, who brought up an example. “Teachers will be able to request Smart Boards, which are a really a dynamic thing.”

Smart Boards are like dry erase boards on a large computer touch screen. They can connect to the Internet and even be set up for video chats around the world. Because technology is ever changing, it is an advantage to have a fund that allows teachers to request specific items that will directly benefit their classroom.
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TCSD '07-08 budget buys pay hikes, new technology | Planet JH News Article: Jackson Hole High School

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