Jackson School Board increases teacher salaries by 2 percent

Starting salaries for teachers in the Jackson School District saw the smallest raise in recent years when the school board set their pay at a meeting Tuesday.

Teachers received an average 2 percent raise, said superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson.

"I think considering the year and everything, it was the best we could do," he said.

Beginning teacher salaries were set at $32,500, a $500 increase from last year. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 they received an increase of $1,000 or more.

Teachers in the Cape Girardeau School District received a 2.29 percent raise on average this year. The district is taking steps to make its starting salaries comparable to other area schools. It raised salaries for beginning teachers by $93 to $29,463 this year.

Jackson teachers received a 3 percent raise last year. Teachers weighed the increased operating costs when discussing their pay, said Marilyn Turner, a member of the Certified Teachers Association's budget committee. She said the economy and gas prices made more of a difference this year.

"We understand that everybody has to tighten their belts," said Turner, a math teacher at the junior high school.

Despite a smaller increase in starting pay, she said their wage is still competitive.

"We think that our starting salary is a comparable salary because of the quality of the school district," she said.

Starting salaries increased more in the past because there was more of a focus on raising base salaries, which is changing, she said.

"We kind of fought the larger jumps in the past," Turner said. She said the increases are starting to filter through to teachers with more experience.

Other action

In other business the board approved bids for services and supplies for the upcoming school year. The district will purchase bread products from Earthgrains Baking Company. It previously used Interstate Brands.

The district will continue to purchase milk products from Prairie Farms. Tires will be bought and serviced through Raben Tire; the district previously contracted with Ozarko. MFA Oil will continue to supply grease, oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, gasoline and diesel.

abusch@semissourian.com

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