Columbia Public School Board vote could impact teacher salaries
The Columbia Public School Board is scheduled to meet Monday night and one of the expected votes could have an impact on future teacher salaries.
The school board will vote on a teacher collective bargaining agreement with the Columbia Missouri National Education Association. Last month, Columbia Public Schools and the National Education Association reached a tentative, three-year bargaining agreement.
The agreement calls for a step on the salary schedule for experience, educational credit and improvement of the teacher salary schedule.
If approved, Columbia Public School teachers will receive an average 5.7% salary increase. ABC 17 News confirms Columbia Public School teachers have not seen an increase in base pay in eight years.
Also at the meeting, the school board will vote on superintendent Dr. Peter Stiepleman’s contract. A proposed amendment says Dr. Steipleman’s salary will be $192,861 for the 2016-17 school year and he will have a $7,100 transportation allowance.
Columbia Public Schools’ spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells ABC 17 News Dr. Stiepleman’s salary would still be lower than many districts similar in size, even with the increase.
Another item on today’s agenda is a report about equity and inclusion, which Dr. Stiepleman will present to the board. CPS believes the success of inclusion and equity initiative programs will improve the district’s outcome.
Finally, the school board is scheduled to vote on authorization of a number of construction projects. These include $4.9 million for Douglass renovations, $1.3 million for Hickman High School tuckpointing and $24,000 for Battle High athletic locker replacement.
