Nokomis Approves Pay Raise
The Nokomis School Board had it in high gear on Tuesday evening as they tackled a
wide variety of issues throughout their three-hour meeting.
Topping off the night was the approval of bargaining agreements with district employees
that, for the most part, will be in effect through the 2011-12 school year.
Teachers will see their pay increase anywhere from 3 to 12 percent as the board
approved a new salary matrix that factors in their years of service and educational level. On
average, increases in the first year will be 7.38 percent, 5.25 percent in the second year,
and 5.04 percent in the third year.
Teacher salaries in the final ten years of the salary matrix will be capped at 6 percent to
avoid penalties which would be imposed by the state.
Bus drivers, bus aides and custodians represented by Local 148 will receive a 6 percent
increase each year for the next three years. Non-certified, non-union employees will
receive a 6 percent increase each year for the next three years.
District administrators will also receive a 6 percent increase. That agreement, however,
is only in effect for one year.
In other action, Gabe Cesaretti, head football coach, advanced a plan that would have the
Nokomis football team co-op with the Panhandle School District for the next two years.
Cesaretti stated the number of students participating in the football program was down this
year and, as numbers decline, the team becomes less competitive.
Cesaretti said he had recently attended a meeting of the Panhandle School Board and
they seemed receptive to the idea.
Board members seemed supportive of his suggestion and will await the outcome of
further talks between the principals of each high school.
During the course of the meeting, the board noted and/or approved the following:
Following a lengthy closed session, the board reconvened to approve the following
personnel changes:
The Nokomis School Board had it in high gear on Tuesday evening as they tackled a
wide variety of issues throughout their three-hour meeting.
Topping off the night was the approval of bargaining agreements with district employees
that, for the most part, will be in effect through the 2011-12 school year.
Teachers will see their pay increase anywhere from 3 to 12 percent as the board
approved a new salary matrix that factors in their years of service and educational level. On
average, increases in the first year will be 7.38 percent, 5.25 percent in the second year,
and 5.04 percent in the third year.
Teacher salaries in the final ten years of the salary matrix will be capped at 6 percent to
avoid penalties which would be imposed by the state.
Bus drivers, bus aides and custodians represented by Local 148 will receive a 6 percent
increase each year for the next three years. Non-certified, non-union employees will
receive a 6 percent increase each year for the next three years.
District administrators will also receive a 6 percent increase. That agreement, however,
is only in effect for one year.
In other action, Gabe Cesaretti, head football coach, advanced a plan that would have the
Nokomis football team co-op with the Panhandle School District for the next two years.
Cesaretti stated the number of students participating in the football program was down this
year and, as numbers decline, the team becomes less competitive.
Cesaretti said he had recently attended a meeting of the Panhandle School Board and
they seemed receptive to the idea.
Board members seemed supportive of his suggestion and will await the outcome of
further talks between the principals of each high school.
During the course of the meeting, the board noted and/or approved the following:
- Monthly bills were approved totaling $1,254,000 including a substantial amount for
bond payments leaving a fund balance of $1,247,000
- A new tax levy for 2008 was approved which represents an increase of 4.99% over
the previous year
- A new teacher evaluation instrument was approved
- The district will pay $.25 per student to the Montgomery County Video and
Technology Library
- Three field trips were approved for students involved in art classes
Following a lengthy closed session, the board reconvened to approve the following
personnel changes:
- Casey Spears will serve as a volunteer to assist the girls' high school basketball team
- Donna Long was approved as yearbook sponsor
- The resignation of Tammy King was approved and the position of aide will be posted
- A two-year agreement with Chris Franzen, computer technician, was changed from
an 11 to 12-month contract with 20 days off per year
- A modification to retire at the end of the 2009-10 school year was allowed for Barb
Spears.