Teachers received a raise and school district patrons will save money through a financial plan ratified Monday during a meeting of the Houston board of education.
Meeting in a special session to approve the new fiscal year budget, which begins July 1, the board OK’d a $750 increase to the certified staff’s base salary schedule with another $400 step was added. Non-certified staff and administration received a 4.4 percent hike.
Superintendent Clinton Waters said the board also put in place a financial plan created by L.J. Hart and Associates, which will save taxpayers money through the retirement of existing debt and at the same time allow construction of a additional classroom space near Hiett Gymnasium without a tax increase.
If approved by voters in April, a bond issue would allow the board to proceed with the additional classrooms and a new library. Construction could begin next summer, said Waters. Drawings for the project are expected to be reviewed for additional input by a school improvement committee.
In other matters, members:
-Continue to make hiring decisions for the upcoming school year. George Snelling III will become the district’s business instructor. He is currently at the Licking district. Joseph Murphy, a speech and drama major from the St. Louis area, will oversee the district’s speech and debate program. Murphy currently is employed at a YMCA at Potosi.