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School board chairman Dr John Tole replied that “items do attempt to move (towards excellence). For some years we have not looked at anything other than teachers. I know what you are saying — we are not pushing the envelope (but) there are the realities of life, a balancing act.”
Castleton resident Jim Gannon commented that “it seems like a modest sort of budget. As a taxpayer, I commend you for holding the line.”
Tole stated that the board has given a lot of thought to merit increases, “though not publicly. The fighting is bitter because the stakes are so small,” he quoted. “People are not here for the money. They have a mission. Even people who aren’t truly outstanding do try very hard” to do a good job. “Teachers come into (the salary) scale based on their years of experience. Everyone is involved, everyone is important. No one’s pay is really high. It’s a very sensitive subject.”
Over the next few months, the board intends to explore different means to recognize employees and possibly develop new, more equitable salary schedules. Board member Dennis Wingfield observed that teacher salaries for the first three years are the same and would affect morale. He also wanted percentage-based
96.6%