A contract approved this week by the Hobart School Board and the district’s teachers’ union increases the annual salary for first-year teachers to $50,000.
The pay boost, up from $46,400, was triggered by the state and nationwide teacher shortage, said Superintendent Peggy Buffington.
The district’s teachers received a $3,000 pay increase, Buffington said after Thursday’s school board meeting. The salary increases are retroactive to July 1 and the contract is in effect until June 30, 2024.
“It’s very competitive. We’re very proud of our teachers,” she said. The district has about 220 teachers who ratified the contract Monday.
According to the contract, the $3,000 increase in compensation is based on a teacher’s effectiveness rating and for working 120 or more work days in the 2022-23 school year. About 95% of the district’s teachers were rated highly effective and the remainder were rated effective.
The school board also agreed to increase its contribution to teachers’ health insurance, raising it to $10,000 for single coverage and $27,000 for family coverage.
Also at its meeting, the board reviewed its 2024 proposed $55.7 million budget. No one spoke during the public hearing and final adoption will be considered Oct. 19.
The board also raised compensation for administrators based on the same rate it used for teachers.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
