Daniel Prince
Apr 26, 2023
Proposed increase would fund additional steps in the salary scale, increase bus driver pay
The Union County School Board was asked to consider raising taxes for the first time since 2018. Finance Director Linda Griffin gave the board members information regarding tax millage and how the Union County School District’s millage compares to others in the state. She noted the average millage across the state is in the 180s. Union’s millage rate stands at 127.9. Their last millage increase was 3 mills in 2018. This year, the district could increase the millage rate by as many as 10.2 mills. They can also go back to last year and recover millage from then, as well, which could be an additional 6 mills. The tax is on non-owner-occupied property, and each mill would generate approximately $42,202 for the district. Griffin said the additional money could go toward adding two steps in the district’s pay scale, which currently only provides increases up to 24 years of service. While pay raises help with recruiting, having additional steps in the pay scale will also help keep veteran teachers in the district. Superintendent Joey Haney noted that surrounding districts provide more steps in their pay scales, so Union doing the same would help the district stay competitive. In addition, the added revenue would help increase the classified pay scale, which is for teaching assistants, secretaries, student records clerks, and the like. Also, starting next year, there is a state-mandated 25% increase in pay for bus drivers. All this could be paid for from the proposed tax increase. The board received the information, and they will discuss it and possibly take action in a future meeting.