CCSD Exploring Possible Salary Increases For Some Employees

CANTON, GA — The Cherokee County School District is reviewing whether it could increase the salaries for certain positions within its system. That's according to district staff, which provided the School Board an update on its personnel hiring process at its Dec. 13 meeting.

The district has launched the process for the 2019-20 school year, "which will not include significant growth," CCSD said. The first step was for the school board to adopt the recommended organizational chart proposed by Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower, which was done at Thursday's meeting.

Since CCSD has experienced a slow down in student enrollment growth, it will reorganize central office departments and restructure roles that will allow the system to better utilize staff and serve evolving needs. For example, the Office of Technology & Information Services will be revamped to focus on business technology systems to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.

"My focus, as we begin planning our personnel needs and preparing our proposed budget for the school board’s consideration, is to use our existing staff as wisely as possible,” Dr. Hightower said. “If we spend on personnel, I want to see those resources directed toward maintaining small class sizes and ensuring our compensation packages remain competitive.”

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The district's Human Resources department is also in the midst of reviewing salaries for positions across the system to determine if they are in line with other districts and the labor market. A study showed salaries lagged behind in some areas, including for newer teachers and for some support positions such as CCSD's clerical ranks, school nurses and school police officers, it noted.

Dr. Hightower said he’s committed to realigning and improving the salaries for these positions and funding a salary step increase for employees. If revenue allows, he’ll also propose a 1-percent salary increase across the district.

“We’re closely watching the local property tax digest’s value, as well as how the governor-elect and General Assembly will implement his promised $5,000 raises for teachers, and if more state funds are on the way for education,” he said, noting that the board's Legislative Partnership Priorities specifically ask the state legislature to consider increasing its funding for counselors, social workers, psychologists and nurses and to include any compensation increases for teachers in the state salary schedule.

Once CCSD leadership staff retirements are known, interviews will begin for any subsequently open positions. This annual personnel hiring process begins with setting the organizational chart and then filling it, followed by filling the principal chart, then the assistant principal chart, and then all other existing positions, until all vacancies created by retirements and anticipated student enrollment growth are filled.

In other business, board members also:

• Recognized the Creekview High School Army JROTC Program as State Champions at the Georgia State Raider Championship;
• Recognized the 2018-19 Reinhardt University/Cherokee County School District Mathematics Tournament winners;
• Recognized CCSD’s Georgia High School Association state and regional champions;
• Recognized the CCSD’s Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA) Publication Award winners;
• Approved the renewal of partnership agreements with the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and Cherokee Tennis Association;
• Approved monthly financial reports;
• Approved out-of-state travel and out-of-state and overnight field trips;
• Approved the monthly capital outlay projects report;
• Approved special lease agreements; and,
• Approved monthly human resources recommendations.

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