After a year in which Durango School District 9-R Superintendent Daniel Snowberger approved $1 million in budget cuts, the district appears committed to keeping teachers happy – and their salaries competitive – as he continues to make big changes.
The district, which still is running a deficit, found much of its million-dollar savings by downsizing staff during the course of the 2012-13 fiscal year.
But after the completion of a study of pay in comparable school districts and extensive negotiations among the district, the teachers’ union and health-care providers, all district employees stand to do much better in fiscal year 2013-14.
All district employees, including teachers, will move up a “step” on the district’s salary schedule, district spokeswoman Julie Popp said in an interview Monday afternoon.
In 2012-13, average teacher pay in Durango was $48,123. In Bayfield, it was $42,189; Ignacio, $41,349; Mancos, $36,285; Archuleta County, $44,831; Montezuma-Cortez $37,458, according to Durango School District. Throughout the recession, the district fought to keep teacher salaries competitive, freezing salaries only once in the last five years.
While the step increase is good news for teachers, it’s better news for the district’s classified staff – the largely unsung district employees who work as mechanics, teacher aides, bus drivers, cooks and cafeteria managers. Not only will they advance a step on the salary schedule, across the board, they’re receiving a raise of $1.50 to $2 an hour.
Popp said Snowberger had studied pay schemes in economically comparable districts in Colorado. Whereas Durango’s teachers earn some of the highest salaries around, Durango’s classified staff is paid significantly less than classified staffs in other districts.
Popp said district employees also would get better health insurance. This year the district renegotiated its contract with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield through a new broker, Durango Insurance Professionals. Popp said the renegotiated contract is a boon for employees with families, who will see their monthly contributions fall by $300.
Families of 9-R employees will get another benefit: Next year the district is offering discount child-care options, even for infants.
cmcallister@durangoherald.com
