Employees within Warren County Public Schools will soon see a bump in their paychecks as the WCPS board unanimously approved an increase in pay for teachers and staff.

Chris McIntyre, chief financial officer for WCPS, said the increase will keep the district competitive with other districts in the region.

“What we have tried to do over the years (is to) just become more competitive,” McIntyre said during the meeting. “It got harder and harder as the number of job openings in the community and within 60 miles (grew) exponentially more.”

Starting pay for teachers who have their Rank I certification will enter the 2024-25 school year making $55,000 per year. Rank II teachers will earn $50,000, and Rank III employees $45,000. Pay for starting teachers during the 2023-2024 school year stood at $50,000 for Rank I employees, $46,610 for Rank II teachers and $42,000 for Rank III.

After working in the district for 30 years, Rank I teachers will earn $75,000 annually – Rank II $69,100 and Rank III $64,000.

Hourly rates for staff personnel will also increase. School bus drivers will start at $20/hour, increasing to $25.20 after 30 years. First-year custodians will make $16/hour and FMD aides will start at $18.56/hour. Thirty-year FMD aides will make $22.02 per hour and custodians $19/hour.

McIntyre told the Daily News the increases come as inflationary pressures continue to impact income, something he described as a “driving factor” for the change.

“We’re very much a people-oriented business, relationship-oriented business,” McIntyre said. “To provide the best education we can and the most opportunities for our students, we have to invest in those adults who are mentoring those students.”

McIntyre said the minimum increase the district can give to employees is 5%. Often times though, he said “it’s more than that.”

While the district does not have a routine cost of living adjustment, McIntyre said employees typically receive a “step increase” after each year, which adjusts compensation.

“People who gain a year’s experience are typically getting a pay increase,” McIntyre said. “Say we didn’t do a percentage increase of salary tables. They would historically still get, in many cases, a step increase in most of our positions.”

The changes are set to take effect July 1.

The board also conducted an evaluation of WCPS Superintendent Rob Clayton, something done annually. Clayton was evaluated on “Cultural Leadership” and “Human Resource Leadership,” according to the board’s comments.

“Mr. Clayton puts emphasis on professional growth and development to align with the district’s needs and goals,” Board Member Thomas Manco stated during the meeting. “While Mr. Clayton can celebrate successes, he still looks at areas of improvement and puts focus on those areas.”

The board summarized its evaluation and relayed positive comments in all areas examined relating to the leadership categories.