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District struggles with money for Career Ladder
, News Editor
07-22-2010
Some Richmond teachers may lose as much as $5,000 in income if school board members follow the state’s lead and cut funding for the Career Ladder program.
Career Ladder has offered teachers with five or more years’ experience an incentive to supplement their income by performing extra work that includes after-school contact with students. Teachers who qualify for the program earn anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 a year, depending on how long they’ve participated, Richmond Community Teachers Association President Joy Farnan said.
This spring, Career Ladder lost 55 percent of its funding when the state Legislature voted to include it in sweeping 2010-11 budget cuts. Richmond R-XVI has traditionally contributed the remaining 45 percent, but on July 8 the school board tabled action on approving those funds for the new school year.
Faced with reduced state funding and a shrinking reserve, the board voted the same night to deny funds for teachers’ annual step increases, a savings to the district of around $110,000. In most years, teachers routinely receive step raises based on their years in the district and educational level.
Passage of R-XVI’s share of Career Ladder would cost the district just under $139,000 in 2010-11, a step Farnan asked the board to consider.
“We strongly urge the school board to budget this amount ($138,750) to fund the Career Ladder,” she said at the July meeting. “Right now, there is no Career Ladder budgeted for next year’s work. That would personally mean a $5,000 cut for me.”
The full story is in the Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Richmond News.
