COLUMBIA — Members of the Columbia School Board will vote on a 1 percent salary increase for both hourly support staff and instructional aides at their meeting on Monday.
The stipend increase would affect support staff such as administrative assistants, cooks, custodians, library clerks, lunchroom and playground supervisors and parking lot security. For support staff, the increase would begin with 21 years of service, according to documents prepared for Monday's meeting.
The increase would also affect hourly instructional aides, depending on the number of years of service and educational advancements.
The board could not previously operate the salary schedule, keeping it from giving salary increases based on experience.
Last year the hourly employees operated on educational credits. This year they operated on experience, which cost $2.1 million. It is the hope of the board to be able to operate on both in the future, but it will take $700,000 more to do so, said Mary Laffey, assistant superintendent for human resources.
The salary increase will cost $7,000, according to the documents.
Policy updates and changes, as recommended by the Policy Services division of the Missouri School Boards' Association, will also be voted on.
These changes are due to revision in state or federal law, court decisions, legal interpretations, general revisions or at the district’s request, according to the documents.
If approved, changes would prevent students from possessing or displaying sexually explicit, vulgar or violent material. These changes address concerns about students possessing sexually explicit pictures of themselves or other students on their phones.
The board is advised to “be careful enforcing this prohibition because they could inadvertently discipline for possession of materials that are protected under the First Amendment or § 167.166.7, RSMo," according to the documentation.
Changes would also prohibit students from using matches or lighters, and restrict them from using audio or visual recording equipment to secretly record teachers or fellow students.
The board will decide whether to approve the revisions at the meeting.
The board will also elect a secretary and a treasurer for the next fiscal year. Nick Boren is recommended for the position of secretary, replacing Lynn Barnett; Linda Quinley is recommended to continue as treasurer.
The regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the administrative building, 1818 W. Worley St.