EUGENE, Mo. - Cole R-5 Eugene Superintendent Dawna Burrow is comfortable with where the district is beginning the 2019-20 fiscal year.
At a special board meeting Monday night, the school board unanimously approved a $5,865,878 budget.
About half of a lengthy school board meeting June 19 was spent discussing the budget. Staff and teachers who attended that meeting participated in discussions about the budget, which includes a 1 percent base-salary increase for the school's 70 employees.
"That is about $300 on the base then it's a $450 step for most of our people," Burrow said at the May board meeting.
Staff have not received a raise in about four years, Burrow said. Teachers with a bachelors degree will receive a base pay of $29,570. The increase will cost the district $93,363.59.
Board member Deanna Smith asked why a base was used instead of a dollar amount and if a 2 percent raise would be possible.
The district has traditionally used percentage raises and Burrow decided to stick with that method. Keeping enough reserves to meet unexpected needs is the most fiscally responsible option, Burrow added.
"We have just - in this years budget - we have just gotten our percentage balances to where they need to be to be anywhere close to a safety zone," Burrow said.
Staff who attended the meeting agreed they prefer the percentage, which is different for every base.
"I can guarantee you right now, as someone who has worked here for the district for over 30 years, if you give every teacher here a $500 raise they're going to be (angry), "Deb Kempker said. "A flat number is not going to make anybody happy."
Teachers said within the last five years, not having a raise has been a struggle. Some said the pay deters new teachers from entering the district and hurts those who remain. Each year, teachers remain with the district, they receive a salary step. Continuing education also contributes to individual salaries.
Regarding a 2 percent raise, Burrow told the board Monday that teacher salaries and raises are always a priority. Looking into additional stipends and future raises is part of the next step for her.
Projected expenditures in the budget include $4,000 for library books, $22,500 for textbooks and $50,000 for improvements.
In other business the board:
Approved final 2018-19 expenditures of $5,703,372.
Agreed to move forward on installing new elementary equipment.