The Mancos RE-6 school board unanimously approved new salary schedules for teachers and staff during its Monday night meeting, using funds from the mill levy override approved by voters in November.
The district’s mill levy oversight committee, made up of district leaders, teachers, staff and community members, developed the schedules in recent months.
“I am grateful that we have a community that recognizes the impact teachers have on our kids’ lives and the importance of keeping good teachers in our district,” board President Tim Hunter said. “The passing of this mill levy is significantly increasing the ability for the Mancos School District to retain and recruit quality staff. I am proud to be a part of a community that acknowledges the value of our school and is willing to step up to support the staff that makes it happen.”
According to the district, the committee’s goal was to raise wages across the board and bring salaries closer to the market average. Under the new schedules, new teachers will receive a $6,500 annual increase to base pay, while veteran teachers will see increases across the salary scale. Other district staff and school leaders will also receive raises.
“High quality schools are the bedrock of a community made possible by high quality teachers and staff. We can now recruit and retain staff because of these additional funds,” Superintendent Audrey Hazleton said. “The mill levy override demonstrates a commitment to our staff today and it is a long-term investment into the future of Mancos.”
During the student voice portion of the meeting, student board member Rhett Brown said he and fellow student board member Greta Thompson are preparing a presentation for the board’s next meeting.
Brown spoke on behalf of both students because Thompson was absent because of the senior trip. He said the presentation will focus on three areas from a student survey, though they have not yet decided whether to highlight the most common concerns or the issues they believe are most important.
Before the mill levy discussion, the board also received an update on a new secondary math curriculum that has been under review for about six months.
The proposed curriculum would serve grades six through eight, with Algebra I, geometry and Algebra II offered for grades nine through 11. Seniors would complete math requirements through concurrent enrollment with Pueblo Community College Southwest.
Hazleton said the curriculum is designed to prepare students for a range of postsecondary pathways, including trades, the workforce or advanced university study.
High school graduation is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m.
The next Mancos school board meeting will be held Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m.
