​School Board workshop recap: officers elected, post-levy salary schedule approved

The Grain Valley School Board met April 11th for a workshop meeting, accepting April 2nd election results, installing one new member and electing board officers, and approving the 2024-25 salary schedule following successful passage of a levy to increase salaries in an effort to remain competitive with area districts.
 
Newly elected board member Aaron Scully took the oath of office, and the following officers were elected: Jeff Porter, President; Jared English, Vice-President; Dr. Julie Taylor, Secretary.
 
Voters approved a levy issue April 2nd to support increases in teacher and staff pay. In a comparison of 2024-25 Grain Valley salaries to peer districts 2023-24 salary levels, the increases generally maintain Grain Valley salaries in the middle of area districts.
 
A starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree will make $41,900 in Grain Valley starting in the 2024-25 school year, an increase of $1,900. This places Grain Valley 5th in a comparison of local districts (when compared to other districts’ 2023-24 salaries). North Kansas City tops the list, with a 2023-24 starting salary of $44,000. Neighboring district Lee’s Summit ranks third, with a 2023-24 starting salary of $42,370.
 
A $1.50 increase in the bus driver starting pay (from $17.33 to $18.83) places Grain Valley in the middle of area districts, taking it from the lowest paid in 2023-24. Smithville and Kearney top the list, paying starting bus drivers $20/hour. Grandview is at the bottom, with a 2023-24 starting salary of $17.78/hour.
 
The district also made strides in improving paraprofessional pay compared to peer districts, raising tier 1 paraprofessional starting pay from $11.87 (the lowest compared to area districts) to $15.47 in 2024-25. This places Grain Valley near the middle when compared to area districts 2023-24 starting salaries.
 
The next meeting of the school board will be held Thursday, April 18th at 6:00pm at the district Leadership Center.