WCSD principals are last employees to get raises after year of negotiations

Washoe County principals finally got raises, nearly a year after negotiations between their union and the school district started.

Principals, vice principals and other school site leaders will receive a 13.2% cost-of-living increase for fiscal year 2024 and an additional 2% cost-of-living increase for fiscal year 2025.

Negotiations on the new contract had stalled under Superintendent Susan Enfield, who resigned earlier this year.

President of the Washoe County Principals' Association, Colbee Riordan, held back tears as she thanked interim Superintendent Kristen McNeill after the school board approved the contract.

"Your support and everything that you do for us does not go unnoticed," Riordan said. "Your collaboration with our stakeholders shows a true appreciation and acknowledgement."

McNeill is leading the district during the search for a new superintendent. She was superintendent from 2020-2022, and before that was a long-time district principal.

“I know how much time and effort our principals devote to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere for our students and staff members,” McNeill said.

What we know

The board approved the pay raises for the union group that includes more than 100 principals plus assistant principals, specialist, directors, site administrators and lead psychologists at its April 9 meeting.

The raises follow a historic influx of funds from the 2023 legislative session. Nevada lawmakers approved $12 billion for the state's K-12 schools, an increase of $2 billion and a 26% jump in per-pupil funding.

Thousands of Washoe County School District employees, including teachers, received raises last year .

Contract details

The two-year agreement with the Washoe Education Principals Association runs through June 30, 2025. The contract and pay raises will be backdated to July 1, 2023.

According to district documents, principals, who are the highest paid employees in the bargaining unit, make between $100,000 and $160,000 per year.

The cost of the agreement for the district is $3.8 million for 2023-24, and $600,000 for 2024-25.

The new contract increases cash-outs for sick leave and annual leave for eligible employees and provides salary incentives for school administrators who work at schools with students living in poverty and still learning English.

Legal battle over back pay headed to the Supreme Court

While a new contract has been signed, the district and school leaders are still battling over back pay from a previous contract.

The issue centers around whether money is owed to administrators who were required to work beyond monthly contracted hours dating back to 2021. It included pay for covering after-school events such as football games or dances.

The district has maintained a previous contract did not require the district to pay for extra time worked until an administrator had worked beyond the contract days over a year period.

After arbitration and a ruling by a judge in the Second Judicial Court maintained that the district owed the back pay. the school district appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Mediation with both parties is expected next week, before the case is heard by the state Supreme Court.

The district said the contract that was approved April 9 clearly outlines when employees will be compensated for extra days worked.

Raises for teachers, administrators, support staff

On Oct. 24, the school board approved the 14% pay raise for teachers in the 2023-24 school year, with another 2% in 2024-25. Teachers also qualified for the additional 4% pay jump from the state for the next two years as part of Senate Bill 231.

The bill allots $250 million from the state’s general fund to match raises for teachers, principals and other education support professionals.

According to the Washoe Education Association President Calen Evans, a starting teacher in Washoe County will make $47,565 after factoring in the most recent cost-of-living increases. Under the new contract, teachers could make as much as $95,800 if they achieve the top level in experience and degrees.

Washoe County support professionals, which includes more than 2,500 bus drivers, teaching assistants and nutrition service employees, received a 13.2% pay raise with a match of 4% from Senate Bill 231 in the first year and another 2% raise each year through June 2027.

School police officers will get an additional 13.2% for the 2023-24 school year and 2% in 2025. They also qualify for a 4% match in salary for two years from Senate Bill 231.

Leadership and top district administrators, which includes a group of about 96 nonunionized employees, also got 15 percent pay raises that totaled $1.25 million over two years. That includes the 44 employees in top leadership positions, including attorneys, the chief financial officer and area superintendents. Fifty-two employees who work in payroll, human resources and as executive assistants and aren't represented by a union also received the 15% increase.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: WCSD principals are last employees to get raises after year of negotiations