By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
By a 98% vote, Yukon teachers approved their new pay scales that feature a “step” raise.
Yukon Public Schools’ Board of Education made it official at its July 11th meeting, unanimously approving the 2022-23 certified and specialized pay scales for more than 600 district personnel.
Members of the Yukon Professional Educators Association (YPEA) had the opportunity to have their voices heard before the school board considered the compensation schedules. Some 261 votes were cast.
“It was a 98% approval rating,” YPS Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jason Brunk said. “It required some trust and honesty that our (administrative) team is going to try to do everything we can to make our salaries competitive with our peer group. We feel like we’ve done that.
“It’s exciting to be able to let our teachers see what they have to look forward to … with inflation and everything.”
The new pay scales for all YPS personnel represent about $1 million that “we’re able to invest in our employees for this next school year,” Brunk added.
“Typically, a step raise for all of our staff is around a $600,000 cost to our district,” he said.
Pay adjustments for YPS administrators and support staff are usually “really similar” to those of certified personnel, according to Brunk.
By approving the new 2022-23 pay scales now, he said this allows YPS officials “to communicate these raises to potential hires” for the 2022-23 school year.
YPS still must hire nearly 15 teachers for the new school year that starts Thursday, Aug. 11.
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce’s annual New Teacher Luncheon is set 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 10 W Main.
The YPS back-to-school breakfast will be 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8 at the Yukon High School Gym, 1777 S Yukon Parkway.
PAY SCALE BREAKDOWN
The newly approved 2022-23 YPS pay scales have 45 “steps” that correspond to the employee’s years of service.
Total district compensation for an employee with a bachelor’s degree ranges from $45,847.31 to $74,376.34.
Total district compensation for an employee with a master’s degree ranges from $47,266.67 to $77,537.63.
Total district compensation for an employee with a doctorate degree ranges from $48,686.02 to $80,565.59.
The total compensation includes salary, employee paid retirement (7% of compensation) and vision plus life insurance.
YPS also provides a $7,390.80 flexible benefit allowance for major medical coverage, or $836.52 cash in lieu of insurance for teachers not enrolled in the state insurance plan.
Dr. Brunk told YPS board members that he expects Yukon’s pay scales to be “really competitive” with other 6A school districts.
To view the YPS salary schedules, visit yukonps.com and click on the “Human Resources” department link under “District”.
