Danville Ky. Board of Education approves raises for all district employees

Personnel in the Danville school system will soon get raises for the first time in more than three years, the Board of Education unanimously decided Thursday.

All certified and classified staff members, including teachers, will receive 2 percent raises in the 2012-13 academic year.

Lonnie Harp, board vice chairman, made the motion, and member Tim Montgomery seconded.

Regarding the raises, Chairwoman Jean Crowley said, “It’s very well deserved, no doubt about that.”

Superintendent Carmen Coleman said she would like to see teachers eventually receive even higher raises, but the state and federal budget situation has made it difficult to offer more substantial raises to any district employee. Coleman noted that staffing cuts throughout the system have made it necessary for teachers, support staff and administrators to work even harder than usual.

“I especially want our teachers to be paid more than the surrounding communities,” Coleman said. “Right now, we’re below most.”

Administrators in Danville also are often earning less than people working identical jobs in other communities such as Frankfort, Paris, Washington and Marion counties, according to a presentation by district Financial Officer Joy Campbell.

But all educators present agreed that even the modest raises approved during Thursday’s board meeting are a great start.

“It’s taken a long time for us to get to this point,” Harp said.

The board also unanimously approved a $93,999 annual salary for the recently filled Danville High School principal position. Former DHS assistant principal Aaron Etherington was selected from 14 applicants for the position. His former job, which has not yet been filled, is budgeted for $75,392 for the 2012-13 school year. All other assistant principal positions in the district are also budgeted for $75,392.