At its April Regular Meeting, the Ouray School District R-1 Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously for a significant increase in staff compensation, a move aimed at recognizing the invaluable contributions of our dedicated educators and support staff. Effective for all contracts in the next school, staff members across all departments will receive a well-deserved raise of $3800 per year on top of the annual "step" increase honoring experience. In its decision, the BOE also increased the annual experience step from $840 to $900 and the step for certificated staff education level from $910 to $1000 per ten graduate credits of work. These changes collectively mean that the average teacher with 12 years of experience and a master's degree at Ouray School will receive a year-over-year increase of $5,810. The Board approved a base increase of $3600 in the spring of 2023 for the 2023-24 school year.
This decision comes after thorough deliberation and careful consideration of various factors, including the rising cost of living, the dedication exhibited by our staff, the district's commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier talent, and the district's financial position. The move reflects the board's commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment where every staff member feels valued and appreciated. The increase to the base pay is designed to help attract new staff while the increases to experience and education steps is intended to reward the experience of the school's current staff.
The base raise per year underscores the belief in the crucial role that educators and support staff play in shaping the lives of our students and enriching our community. It acknowledges the hard work, passion, and dedication demonstrated by school staff on a daily basis, both inside and outside the classroom.
Other Board Action
- Academic Calendar Revision - The Board took action to correct an error in the number of school days for the 2024-25 academic year. The correction moves a staff professional development day to the start of the year and adds a student contact day in February. There are no changes to the start or end of the school year or to any of the major holiday breaks.
- Revised Mission Statement - The Board acted on a change to the district's mission statement from work at its Strategic Planning Retreat earlier in the year to add "inclusive" to the description of its learning environment.
The mission of Ouray School District R-1, an educational community built on high expectations, is for all students to contribute responsibly in a global society by ensuring them an exceptional education in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.