Despite budgetary concerns, classroom consolidation and teacher pink slips, the Clarkston School Board voted 5-1 to approve two percent raises for central office administrators and non-union employees on June 12.
The board also approved a new contract for Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts, which included a two percent salary raise and three percent ‘performance merit incentive.?
According to Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing, the board approved raises for 196 employee contracts. Of those receiving raises, Banach said 33 are central office administrators and that their portion of the expense amounted to $61,141.
Prior to the new contract approval, Robert’s contract salary was $144,840, making his approved raise an extra $2,896 a year and a $4,345 ‘performance merit incentive,? a bonus he receives at the end of the school year if he meets all the goals set by the school board.
On both matters, Trustee Joan Patterson cast the only dissenting vote. Trustee Barry Bomier was not present at the meeting.
The board also voted unanimously to recall seven pink slips from teachers they laid off less than two months prior.
On April 24, the board voted 6-1 to approve approximately $2 million in budget cuts for the 2006-07 fiscal year. At the same meeting, the board approved the distribution of 14 pink slips to teachers in the district. At the time, Trustee John Koval raised protest to the budget cuts as presented and cast the only dissenting vote. Immediately after approving the pink slips, Roberts expressed confidence that many of them were likely temporary.
The June 12 vote reduced the number of pink-slipped teachers by half, but Patterson still expressed her concern for approving raises while teachers remain laid off and $2 million in budget cuts were made. Patterson said the extra cost would be ‘spending money we don’t have.?
‘I’m going to have to vote no and not on the people we’re looking at,? Patterson said, reiterating that there was nothing personal against those individuals up for a raise.
Vice President Stephen Hyer assured Patterson the two percent raise was a miniscule increase for most of the workers. He added, passing over these individuals when all others in the district will get a raise for the next school year by contract is unfair. Hyer said the Clarkston school district operates on less central office administrators than other districts in the county and keeping those administrators was vital
‘This is not a huge amount of money,? said President Karen Foyteck. ‘We’re certainly not raising anybody’s salary a great big amount and I think it’s totally appropriate.?
‘I accept that the fact that, Joan, it’s not personal?. but we can’t afford to lose the support at the building level,? said Roberts just prior to the vote.