School board approves contracts with 2.2% raises

ABERDEEN, S.D. (By Elisa Sand esand@aberdeennews.com) – Teachers and staff at the Aberdeen Public School District will see a bump in pay.

Initially the school district approved its budget and contracts with no pay raises. At the time there were concerns about whether the state’s approved 2% increase in state aid would be maintained with new expenses arising in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increase in state aid remained, however, and the district approved new contracts at the Aug. 10 board meeting. The contracts are retroactive to July 1.

Teachers and administrators received a flat-rate increase. Teachers received a $1,100 pay increase, which equates to an average increase of 2.2%, according to information presented to the school board by Superintendent Becky Guffin. Administrators received a $1,950 increase, which is also an average of 2.2%.

Hourly and custodial staff contracts were also approved with a pay increase. Those included a 2.2% cost-of-living boost and a 2.5% step increase.

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