R-9 Board OKs Teacher Salary Increases

It was a busy night for the Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday night as members approved an increase in salaries, personnel resignations and hirings and the purchase of a new scoreboard for C.F. Russell Stadium.
On a vote of 7-0, the board agreed to add $1,100 to the base of the salary schedule as well as bump the hourly wage for non-certified personnel by 60 cents. The change sets the starting pay for a first-year teacher coming into the district with no experience at $30,300 and also bumps the salary for all teachers already on the schedule as they move for years of experience and additional college hours.
In addition, the board agreed to add years of service back to those teachers who were hired under an old board policy that did not allow for any more than 10 years of experience to be brought into the district. Superintendent Becky Albrecht said she is aware of only three teachers this would affect at a cost to the district of around $1,200.
The increase approved by the board would result in just under $200,000 in additional money for teacher and staff salaries. Administrative salaries were set during the February board meeting.
Mrs. Albrecht had originally suggested an increase of $1,000 to the base and 50 cents for hourly employees, but indicated she had no problem with the $1,100 and 60-cent proposals. The Salary and Welfare Committee had asked for a base salary increase of $1,050.
The board also agreed to set up a committee of administrators, teachers and staff to look at the sick leave/personal day policy, which Mrs. Albrecht indicated has “a few quirks” and needs to be reviewed. THS Principal Dan Wiebers, who will assume the superintendent’s position in July, will chair that committee.
During the open session of the meeting, the board approve the retirement of Rissler Elementary cook Becki Gross and Rissler nurse Joy Faerris. Also approved were the resignations of middle school assistant principal David Stallo, first grade instructor Susan Allen and middle school paraprofessional Sandy Smith. Following an executive session, the board hired Kasey Bailey as the new middle school assistant principal at a salary of $57,500. Also hired were Kameron Cool as sixth grade math teacher and Sarah Green as a paraprofessional, with duties to begin on April 6. All probationary teachers were rehired and those who were given tenure include Tara Hoffman, Colbi Kirk, Cara Leininger, Lauren Boswell and Brandon Boswell.
Coaching assignments at the high school and middle school were also approved (see story on page 2) as were the extra duty assignments. Extra duty assignments include:
Rissler – Lynn Griffin, year book; Lisa Brewer and Natalie Johnson, student council.
Middle School – Kim Foster, student council; Suzi Beck, FCCLA; Penny Roberts, yearbook; Jackie Price, academic team.
High School – Kay Moore, junior class sponsor; Carrie Crouse, senior class sponsor; Josh Currie, sophomore class sponsor; Aaron Stark, freshman class sponsor; Lori Duff, prom sponsor; Brenda Thorne, student council; Brook Kreatz and Kabel Oaks, FFA; Mitch Holder, FBLA; Margaret Mollenhour, FCCLA; Amy Currie, FTA; Tim Gilham, instrumental music; Tyler Busick, vocal music; Kelli Griffith, colorguard; Troy Crawford, National Honor Society; Davina Gilham, Science Club; Greg Dalrymple, yearbook; Alicyn Studyvin, academic team; E’Lisha Gass, Key Club; and Amy Currie, Spanish Club.
The board agreed to purchase a new scoreboard at the C.F. Russell Stadium at a cost of $37,962. The scoreboard, which Athletic Director Wes Croy said would replace the two scoreboards now at the stadium, would be located at the west end of the stadium for better viewing from seats and from Oklahoma Avenue. The purchase includes the installation of the new scoreboard as well as the disposal of the old boards. Two new field timers would also be included in the purchase.
Croy and Mrs. Albrecht indicated the district has a commitment from Trenton Coca-Cola to pay for $20,000 of the cost, with the Trenton Quarterback Club and ShopKo are also expected to provide funding. A contract is currently being worked out between the district and Coca-Cola, with the contract to be considered by the board at its April meeting.
In other action by the board, approval was given to spend $32,000 to purchase asphalt from the city of Trenton to finish the Rissler parking lot project this summer. The remaining area of the lower parking lot in front of the school will be paved and the circle where the flag pole is located will be eliminated. The flag pole will be moved to the front of the building. Work is scheduled to be done in July with Larry Griffin, Stevens Excavation and Joe DeVorss doing the work.
The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Grundy County Health Department for use of school facilities during an emergency as well as the curriculum evaluation.
The board heard the vocational education program evaluation from Wiebers as well as a safety report from Mrs. Albrecht, who also announced that a donation of $2,000 was received from ShopKo for the district technology program.