Woodlawn Approves New Certified Salary Schedule

WOODLAWN - The Woodlawn School Board approved a revised teacher salary schedule for the 2023-24 school year last Thursday that will put the district in compliance with the new LEARNS education plan approved by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Sarah Sanders. Under the law, the minimum teacher salary was increased from $36,000 to $50,000, and those already earning more than $50,000 were given a $2,000 raise. In addition to approving the new salary schedule, the board also approved extending contracts to the certified teaching staffs at both the elementary and high school. While the minimum teacher salary saw a $14,000 increase, the LEARNS plan does not include any additional year-to-year pay increases referred to as "steps" under the salary schedule. The state said those increases will be up to each district. For the first year under the new LEARNS plan, Woodlawn Superintendent Dr. Kevin Hancock said he simply brought everyone making $48,000 or less on the old schedule up to $50,000, and then added $2,000 to the other positions. Teachers can still receive a year-to-year pay increase under the new Woodlawn schedule, but it will take several years to get there. Under the new LEARNS pay schedule, a teacher at Woodlawn with a bachelor's degree would need to work 26 years before receiving their first year-to-year "step" increase, and that step would be an additional $150 for year. That same teacher would see an addition $450 in pay the following year as they top out the pay schedule at the 28th step. Woodlawn, like many other school districts, also awards those teachers who work toward advanced degrees. Under the new LEARNS schedule, a teacher at Woodlawn who completes their first 12 hours of college credit would get a pay increase in the 22nd step; one with 24 hours would see an increase in the 19th step; one who completes a masters degree would get an increase in the 15th step; and ...