Stratford approves 3.12% average raise for teachers
By Casey Krautkramer
The Stratford Board of Education voted on April 3 to increase certified teacher and administrator salaries by an average of 3.12 percent for the 2024-25 school year. Each teacher will receive a $1,843 raise next school year and a $590 stipend on their Nov. 15 paycheck.
Chris Dickinson, Stratford School Board president, said people working in the private sector likely aren’t receiving a raise in their yearly salary that is either at or just below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 4.12 percent, but he said it’s important for the district to attract and retain its staff.
The school board also voted to give a $1 hourly raise to support staff, which includes custodians, secretaries and food service workers, in the 2024-25 school year. The starting wage for support staff will now be $15.50 starting next school year.
Other business
n Superintendent Nathan Lehman said the communication pillar in the school district’s strategic plan is to increase transparency with families and the community by having all teachers display their class curriculum on the website. People can click on each school on the district website and find the class curriculum being taught in the drop down menu.
n The board voted to accept the resignations of middle school science teacher Ryan Bloom and high school English teacher Jo
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Lappe at the end of this school year. The school board also voted to hire Lexi Ossmann and Hannah Kelnhofer as new elementary school teachers for next school year.
n School board member Kitty Guyer said in her CESA 9 report that CESA 9 has an Excellence in Teaching program that helps people who have a bachelor’s degree not in education become licensed teachers.
n After meeting in closed session, the board voted to approve the district administrator’s evaluation/performance/contract. n Lehman presented Dustin Skaya with a plaque to recognize his three years on the school board.
n The board will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, in the high school band room. Tyler Skaya will take the oath of officer after being re-elected for a second three-year term on the school board. Newly elected school board member Kyle Jochimsen will also take his oath of office at this meeting.
