At the April 27 meeting, RISD trustees continued 2023-24 budget planning discussions with a review of district recommendations for teacher and staff compensation for next year. In addition, the board reviewed data requested in previous budget discussions that benchmark how surrounding districts approach:
- Teacher compensation across varying years of experience
- District contributions to health insurance premiums
- Employer retirement plan contribution levels or matching plans
- Attendance incentives for employees not using all available personal or sick days
- Maternity/Paternity Leave
“As we have discussed since the outset of our budget planning, it’s critically important that we prioritize attracting and retaining our effective teachers and employees, and reward those who have chosen to remain in RISD,” Superintendent Tabitha Branum said.
“Our employees were loud and clear in our recent staff compensation and benefits that compensation was their top priority, and we are recommending teacher and staff compensation levels for 2023-24 that will allow us to be more competitive with surrounding districts, and provide an incentive for experienced teachers in other districts to consider choosing RISD. Taken with our other programs that are part of our overall compensation package, like the employee family health clinic, employee child daycares, and employee child Pre-K opportunities, we feel this will position RISD to compete to keep our own staff here and be an attractive option for new teachers and staff considering their options.”
Trustees discussed district-recommended teacher and staff compensation levels that would provide approximate increases:
- New teacher starting salary of $60,000
- Teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians – minimum of 5.75% increase and higher based on years of experience
- Hourly staff – minimum of 4% raise or higher based on job type
- Central and campus professional staff – flat 3% increase
- Adding more Maternity/Paternity/Bereavement leave options for employees
No vote or decision was made, and while trustees were generally supportive of these approximate compensation levels, more information was requested and trustees will continue discussions at the May 4 meeting.
Click here to see the April 27 budget presentation or watch the discussion.
Click here to catch up on previous 2023-24 budget planning discussions.
