Valley Looks At Changing Salary Range For Teachers
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
AKRON — The Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. is mulling salary changes for teachers.
At a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 31, at the TVSC administration office, the TVSC Board recapped a tentative agreement between the board and the Tippecanoe Valley Classroom Teachers’ Association.
Valley works out agreements with the TVCTA each year, which deal with teacher salaries.
TVSC Superintendent Blaine Conley outlined the 2022-23 agreement at the meeting, including the salary range.
“We’ve moved the starting salary to $44,175 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree,” he said. “The top of the salary scale for teachers with a master’s degree is $75,850.”
Conley noted the agreement would recognize the extra effort that those who have earned master’s degrees have put in.
“So the $44,175 is one of the strongest (starting salaries) in the area, isn’t it?” asked TVSC Board President Tom Bauters.
“To my understanding, it is,” said Conley.
The board took no action on the agreement at Monday’s meeting, planning to vote on it at a special meeting set for Monday, Nov. 7.
The Nov. 7 meeting at the administration office, 8343 S. SR 19, Akron, will be preceded by another hearing regarding the upcoming renovation of Tippecanoe Valley High School. The hearing is set to start at 6 p.m.
The TVSC Board had the first hearing Monday, which it’s required to do as it’s seeking to pay for the renovation with bonds. Valley already is using bonds of $16,210,000 to pay for the renovation, but is seeking $10 million in additional bonds as a result of rising construction costs.
As part of the hearing, Conley summarized what the project should encompass: “a new auditorium with student collaboration areas, a pool renovation, exterior facade improvements, expanded agriculture classrooms/labs, new and renovated locker rooms, a new weight room and multipurpose room/wrestling room.”
“The work on the project is expected to begin April 3, 2023, with a projected substantial completion date of Aug. 30, 2024,” he said.
Conley reiterated for property owners in the corporation area, the tax rate should be “neutral” with the project being done.