The issue of administrative salaries on Monday divided the Lawrence school board, with new board members disagreeing with experienced members.
Newly elected board members Craig Grant and John Mitchell voted against a plan to raise funds for administrative salaries by 6 percent. The proposed plan would spend about $277,000 on administrative salaries and fringe benefits, to be allocated at Supt. Ran-dy Weseman's discretion.
Board members Rich Minder, Sue Morgan, Linda Robinson and Cindy Yulich voted for the plan. Board President Leonard Ortiz was absent.
Grant and Mitchell argued that the increase would mean some employees could receive a raise of a few thousand dollars while others would receive a few hundred.
"I don't think administrators are twice as important as our teachers, and I think that is the message we're sending tonight, and I don't think we should send it," Grant said.
But other members argued that the plan was equitable.
"I can't imagine how someone could make the argument that the quality of a building administrator doesn't have an effect on students," Morgan said.
Mitchell disputed that the plan was equitable.
"I hope it doesn't result in a division (of the board)," Mitchell said.
The board approved a budget for publication. That budget maximizes the tax levy for the local option budget, but does not hit the limit for capital outlay.
The board could have opted to increase the levy for capital outlay to 8 mills, but it chose to increase that levy from 5.797 to 6 mills.
In its recent ruling, the state Supreme Court approved a provision to increase the limit on school districts' local option budgets. A local option budget can now account for 27 percent of a district's general fund, up from 25 percent.
The Lawrence board opted to move forward at the 27 percent level, but that decision is not final and can still be dropped.
The board also considered contributing to the fund for the school finance lawsuit against the state, though they did not make any firm commitments.
A budget hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive. Budget approval is set for 7 p.m. that night.
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Comments
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lori (anonymous) says…
Actually, Sue, that is exactly the message that is being sent. Apparently there are many administrators that are 2-3 times as important as a teacher. I wonder how it would be if any of those administrators didn't show up for work for a week, with no replacement. Would we know the difference? If a teacher didn't show up for work for a week, of course the effect would be instantly obvious.
I do think that many of our administrators are extremely important; but I feel that we should have a salary cap that is directly related to teacher salaries. That, for example, no administrator should make more than 2.5 times more than the district's average teacher salary. It would be interesting to hear many in the district justify why that *wouldn't* be fair. I can't believe how administrator heavy this district is, and how crappy their teacher pay is. It really fosters a pretty big divide between the teachers and the administrators.
Hawkman (anonymous) says…
Maybe you two should get out of your trailer and stop drinking beer long enough to go to or watch a board meeting on your television set so you have an idea of what administrators do in the Lawrence Public Schools compared to other districts. I have several friends who are administrators and they do the job of two or three people in districts to our east. It is not a "administrator heavy district"... check your facts before you open your mouth......
KU7679 (anonymous) says…
Administrators get paid more because few good ones exist, and because they are needed by school districts. The good ones work incredibly long hours (yes, longer than classroom teachers), and have unbelievable responsibilities.
Hawkman (anonymous) says…
macon---do you ever get out? Wayne Kruse was president of the teachers association--on of those great teachers you are talking about--he wasnt an administrator...get a clue in life, will you...geezzzzeeee
Hawkman (anonymous) says…
Doesn't really matter what you say about how wayne behaved..he was still one of your glorious teachers...stick that in your pipe and smoke it...(maybe that explains your ignorance oabout the school system....sue)
NorthLawrenceDude (anonymous) says…
I think the Administrator's deserved the 6%. Thank goodness Linda Robinson did not let her motion be amended. (way to go Linda!) I think the teachers deserve a raise too, but they should settle...and quit dragging their greedy heels for a 10-15% raise. That is rediculous! Most professionals at the University got 4-6 percent this year. The teachers should get the same, just like everyone else.
Wayne Kruse walking the street? I heard he moved to Western Kansas and is working at McDonalds or walmart. Or maybe it was McDonalds INSIDE walmart, but he is definately NOT walking the streets of Lawrence anymore.
NorthLawrenceDude (anonymous) says…
Lawrence teachers are spoiled. They should work in KCK for a day, where teachers do not even have an overhead projector. I think they are making what they are worth, for they knew the pay when they got into the profession. I get tired of them complaining. If they do not like the pay, let them change careers or get a second job...that is what I did. (and half of Lawrence does too)
NorthLawrenceDude (anonymous) says…
"judge, I am sorry.....for I did not realize I was spending union dues while buying drinks at Teller's every week end". LOL I guess the judge believed it!
Hawkman (anonymous) says…
macon still cant understand that the district had nothing to do with the education association making Wayne a king. They changed their rules. They let him run the ship. They let him sink it. Bitch to the LEA, Macon, not to the district. How can they be responsible for him not being in jail? And if they did have the power to do that, I am sure you would find some complaint about that because you as just one unhappy, unemployed, unappreciated, pathetic individual. Did you realize that he stole teacher money, not district money. Are you smart enough to figure that out?
NorthLawrenceDude (anonymous) says…
Hell, I would rather have NO raise, and summers off! What about you "right"? Would summers off be ok?
Wayne would have more likely been winking at Paula Martin's husband. lmao!
kawryan (anonymous) says…
I'm with Lori on this one.
\What she said.