Trigg School Board Exploring Some Raises For District

While no action was taken as of yet, discussions about the district salary schedule continued during Thursday night’s Trigg County Schools Board of Education — and are trending toward improved pay scales.

Chief Financial Officer Holly Greene said her office is recommending a 1% increase for certified and classified salary employees, and a 50-cent increase to hourly employees — with a few targeted raises still under review.

Greene also said that, if later approved, the new Educational Support Services schedule might look a little different — but be more beneficial for all involved.

If these are approved, Greene said the 50-cent raise increases the annual budget by $99,000, the 1% increases it by $129,652, and a discussed 2% increases it by $259,304.

Greene did confirm that this year’s Impact Aid payment, valued at more than $200,000, is coming to the district after all — after some voiced concerns that it might not be.

She and Board Attorney Jack Lackey also furthered illustrated what happens to school districts when property value assessments rise as sharply as they recently have across the Commonwealth.

Greene said that “passing out 4% and 5% raises left and right” could, in turn, eventually lead to “significant layoffs” or “significantly raise taxes” — which can’t be done over 4% without a referendum and election.

She also said a recent meeting with local, regional and state educational officials painted a clear picture on the pay landscape.

A recent release from the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative, Greene added, also added more context to Trigg County’s crunch.

As elected officials, Greene and Lackey clarified that board members have their per diems governed by the Kentucky General Assembly, and not by local and regional authority.

More discussions, and following approvals, should come after Spring Break.