Board OKs teacher pay

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. — It took another executive session Monday night before the McCook Board of Education approved the 2018-19 negotiated agreement for teachers’ salaries next year.

At the regular meeting Monday night, board president Tom Bredvick made the motion to vote on the agreement, with a 3.58 percent increase in wages. This would make the starting salary of a first-year teacher at the McCook School District $35,550, from $34,450 last year. Per the agreement, insurance and other benefits remain the same.

After the motion, board secretary Loretta Hauxwell said she had a question about the agreement. At that time, Bredvick pulled the motion and said discussion would move into closed session.

The school board has several committees where up to three board members, plus administration, discuss items throughout the year, such as the finance committee, facilities and negotiations. No voting occurs at committee meetings; instead, board members are to bring voting items to the full board during an open meeting.

Teachers in the McCook Schools district are represented by the McCook Education Association. Per state law, negotiations must begin on Nov. 1 and be completed by Feb. 1; otherwise, it must be settled by mediation.

After the closed session, the board reconvened in open session. With no discussion, it voted unanimously to approve the negotiated agreement for 2018-19.

At $35,550, base pay for teachers at the McCook School is in line with other Class B schools and area schools, most of those salaries between $33-34,000.

Starting salaries at other Class B Schools for this year include: Alliance: $32,050; Chadron, $33,100; Crete, $34,300; Ogallala, $34,050; Gothenburg, $35,100; Holdrege, $34,850; Lexington, $34,900; Gretna, $36,300.

Base pay at Class A schools for this year include North Platte, $36,950; Kearney, $34,492; Lincoln, $43,891; Omaha, $41,000.

Area schools starting salaries this year are: Dundy County, $34,385; Chase County: $34,200, Hayes Center, $34,350, Hitchcock County, $33,450, Maywood, $32,800, Cambridge, $33,600, Arapahoe, $33,650, Southwest, $33,350.

Teachers can earn higher wages each year based on the number of years they have taught as well as completing additional education, such as a master’s degree.

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