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NORTH MANCHESTER - Teachers, bus drivers, hourly workers and administrators in the Manchester Community School Corporation will be seeing a little more in their paychecks after the school board unanimously approved wage increases Tuesday evening.
The board approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Manchester Teachers Association that included a 2.5 percent salary increase for teachers this year and a 2 percent increase for the 2005-2006 school year. The increase makes the base salary for a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree $28,879 this year and $29,457 next year. Incremental salary increases of 3 to 5 percent (based on years of employment) are built in to MCS teachers' salaries.
MCS bus drivers will receive a 3.5 percent salary increase this year. For regular route drivers, the amount of increase will range from $364 to $548 per year. Two drivers who spend all day on the road will see an increase of $850 per year. Drivers also will receive raises of 10 cents for each year of service, and an increase of 5 cents per year.
Classified support staff and hourly workers except food service workers at Manchester Community Schools will see a 3 percent increase in pay this year as well. Depending on the number of hours worked, the increase will amount to between $100 and $800 per year.
Food service workers were separated from the hourly staff so the board could review the balances in the food service and cafeteria accounts. The food service workers should receive a pay increase at the next meeting after the balances are analyzed.
Administrators, with the exception of Superintendent Diana Showalter, will see a 3.6 percent increase in their salaries this year. The increase includes a 1.1 percent increment allowance that is equal to or less than the one the teachers are receiving.
In other business, the board:
• Heard highlights from the 2005-2006 school-year calendar. The calendar will be made available for public comment before its approval at a later meeting. The school year will begin Aug. 15 and end May 25. "This calendar coordinates with Heartland Career Center and the other co-op schools" in the Wabash area, said Showalter.
• Approved the hiring of Sally Rich as English as a Second Language teacher at the elementary school level. The school corporation has seen an increase in Hispanic students, prompting the move to hire Rich, who has a master's degree in ESL.
• Approved the hiring of: Jennen Gaerte, assistant track coach at Manchester High School; Steve Olsen, volunteer assistant volleyball coach at MHS; Joe Mele, junior varsity volleyball coach at MHS; Susan Satchwill, part-time media center assistant at MHS for Thursdays only; Christine Beery, part-time media center assistant at MHS Wednesdays only; Jane Ann Airgood, driver's education assistant at MHS.
• Approved two donations to the Laketon Elementary School library.
• Approved Sunday building rentals of Manchester High School for the First Brethren Church March 27 and Manchester Little League March 20.
• Approved an overnight field trip for 10 students and Mike Schlitt to attend the Model United Nations competition in Battle Creek, Mich., March 19-22.
Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill, Brian Schilling, Carlye McLaughlin and Brad Perrot. Superintendent is Diana Showalter.
