New Step Structures for DeKalb Teachers

In June, DeKalb Schools board approved the plan for DeKalb Teachers Get a 2.5% Raise And Start Stepping.

Teacher Salary Schedule
Phase 1 Before/After 2.5% Raise
Phase II (DRAFT) -DCSD Teacher Pay Schedule 2018-2019

Since then, the administration has neglected to communicate with the teachers the Phase II raise they are supposed to receive in January. The following are still open questions I have with the administration:

1. When will the district communicate the Phase II salary increases and step program with the teachers?
2. Can we get a hard confirmation on the new step program to be implemented in a week?
3. What is the conversion for Years Experience to Step?
4. How is Years Experience calculated for teachers? Apparently a teacher can gain extra years experience by leaving the system and then coming back.

On Friday, Dr. Green sent out this message

Comp and Class Study Salary Adjustments

Superintendent Stephen Green

Dr. Stephen Green
Superintendent, DeKalb County School District

The MAG Compensation & Classification study was approved by the Board of Education on 11.6.2017.

Link to the official board action:
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/ViewMeetingOrder.aspx?S=4054&MID=70828

Outlined below are the implementation phases/dates approved by the Board.

Phase 1- July 1, 2018-COMPLETE

2.5% across the board pay raise for Teachers, Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Librarians/Media Specialists, OT (Occupational Therapists)/PT (Physical Therapists) /ST (Speech Therapists).

Classified staff to include the following: Bus Drivers, Custodians, Food Service Workers, Nurses, Bus Monitors, Paraprofessionals/Teacher Aides, Bookkeepers in the school, Campus Supervisors, Secretaries in the schools, Clerks in the schools, Interpreters in the school, Information Technology Technicians at the school, Registrars, Receptionists at the school, Liaisons at the school, Administrative Assistants at the school, School Healthcare Workers.

This phase did not include 12-month staff with the exception of bus drivers, food service workers, and custodians.

Phase 2- January 2019

Implement a New Step Structure for Teachers, Counselors, OT/PT/ST and Classified Staff positions (listed above) as well as the Classified Staff at the District Office- not school-based.

The New Step Structure is scheduled to be presented for board approval at the January 7, 2019 board meeting. If approved, the Finance/IT will load the programming file by January 9, 2019 in order to prepare for the January 15th payroll for impacted employees. January 9th is cutoff to for Finance/IT to make the January 15th payroll. Any delays will delay the implementation of the new step structure.

Phase 2a-January 2019

2.5% across the board pay raise for Chiefs, Deputy Superintendent, Regional Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Executive Directors, Directors, Principals, Assistant Principals and all other District Office Staff- not school-based.

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Agenda Item – 6/26/2018 – Compensation and Classification Study Implementation

Rationale
DCSD would like to ensure that employees are in the right classification for the kind of work they are assigned in the job function.

Phase 1 – July 1, 2018 – 2.5% across the board pay raise.
Teachers, Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Librarians/Media Specialists, OT/PT/ST.

$17,170,646.00 for Phase 1-with benefits included
Classified staff to include the following: Bus Drivers, Custodians, Food Service Workers, Nurses, Bus Monitors, Paraprofessionals/Teacher Aides, Bookkeepers in the school, Campus Supervisors, Secretaries in the schools, Clerks in the schools, Interpreters in the school, Information Technology Technicians at the school, Registrars, Receptionists at the school, Liaisons at the school, Administrative Assistants at the school, School Healthcare Workers.

Phase 2 – January 2019 – approximately $6.2M
Implement the NEW Step Structures for Teachers, Counselors, OT/PT/ST and Classified Staff positions (those positions listed above) as well as the Classified Staff at the District Office –not school-based

Phase 2a – January 2019 – 2.5 % raise across the board – approximately $250K
Chiefs, Deputy Superintendent, Regional Superintendents, Associate Superintendent, Executive Directors, Directors, Principals, Assistant Principals and all other District Office Staff – not school-based.

$6,479,732.00 for Phase 2/2a

SUBTOTAL: $23,650,378.00 (Phase 1 and 2/2a)

Other Funds: $ 1,884,763.00*

GRAND TOTAL: $25,535,141.00

23 responses to “New Step Structures for DeKalb Teachers

  1. Stan, I thought there was an additional 2.5% given to teachers,etc. in January 2019 (not just administrators) and then step placement after that is approved Jan.7th? Just trying to follow the threads…Thank you again!

  2. Hello Educator. The 2.5% in January is not for school based employees. The teacher salary increases in January are all over the place, obviously, with the new step structure.

  3. Thank you Stan! Happy Holidays. I’m one of those 25+ years experience so not sure how this will turn out. Glad you clarified the 2.5 because I thought Human resources put that out Friday. Have a wonderful holiday!

  4. I am one of those 25+ as well, but if it goes through. the raise is substantial. I will be thankful. If you look at the current salary structure, you stay on steps for several years regardless. This bypasses them all unless you are at 33 years.

    I am looking forward to the announcement.

  5. Intrigued, or any other teachers,
    What is your perception of how this new salary schedule compares to other metro Atlanta school districts? Also, teachers will start stepping.

  6. I thought it was already approved back in June. Why does it have to be approved again? Also, it was said that there would be a meeting with each class to discuss the increase and step, when will that happen? When return on the 7th and this is supposed to be put in the system on the 9th( if approved?) to be in the 15 checks. How will we be told in 3 days?

  7. Also a teacher

    Have they released the new salary schedule? If it truly is the Phase 2 draft posted above that is amazing. If it is anything less than that draft then it is a really dumb idea to have ever floated that draft around in ththe first place and get all our hopes up. I would hope they would have checked it was feasible with finance before ever releasing it even as a draft as it shows what we should be making. One thing is for sure- the current salary structure and lack of stepping makes zero sense for this county someone one year more senior than me makes $5 grand more for no reason.

  8. Stan
    Fyi: This is what all employees received on Friday 12/21/18 at my elementary school from our bookkeeper:

    DeKalb County School District (DCSD) has completed its most recent Compensation & Class Study, mandated by Board of Education Policy GCA. Under this policy, the district is required to complete a comprehensive review of its compensation program every five years and implement changes as needed.

    In accordance with this policy, DCSD is once again implementing a step-raise program at all levels. A step-raise program assesses a worker’s ability, education, experience, and overall contribution to the district, and places them on a scale. Where you are placed on such a scale determines your eligibility for future raises.

    If approved by the Board of Education in January 2019, the salaries of DCSD employees are being adjusted to align with the new salary steps. This means many employees will receive an increase in their salary. In addition, ALL district employees—regardless of where they are placed on the salary spectrum—will receive a 2.5 percent pay increase in January 2019.

    No one’s salary will decrease as a result of the Compensation and Class Study.

    View a helpful FAQ and an infographic explaining the steps leading to the adjustment.

    For more information, please contact DCSD Human Capital Management.

  9. Mr. Jester,

    You posed the question, “What is your perception of how this new salary schedule compares to other metro Atlanta school districts? ”
    If phase 2 is approved, Dekalb will be making more than APS and other districts. I dont believe that Dekalb can go from last of the big 5 to 1st place. While I am hopeful, I am skeptical, since in the past the county only offers 2.5% raises, not 10-15% if phase 2 is approved.

    Crossing my fingers.

  10. Mr. Jester,
    How does the new salary schedule help the Elementary Assistant Principals? Many of the Assistant Principals hourly rates are the same as teachers. The only reason Assistant Principals salaries are higher is because they work 10 additional days. If the proposed drafted salary schedule is approved, the teachers and counselors salary will be higher and they will be working less days. Will there be adjustments to Elementary AP salary schedules?

  11. Region 1 Teacher

    I see that the district is now attempting to communicate the new salary structure. This is much needed for our schools and will stop the hemorrhage of top talent in the schoolhouse to APS & Gwinett. MUCH needed!!! There is information about it on the employee portal and the following FAQ link is provided but doesn’t provide many details….. https://dcsd.sharepoint.com/Shared%20Documents/HCM-Comp-Class-FAQ.pdf

  12. Thus far it’s propaganda. I’ve noticed that their statements are not backed up with data.

  13. Support person

    In reference to Jill post. Stan,Was this notice suppose to be sent to everyone ? We (my school)didn’t receive any notice in reference to the step. Who dropped that ball?

  14. Hi Stan,
    Are there any conversations about Principals/Assistant Principals receiving a pay increase? It is phenomenal that teachers in Dekalb are FINALLY being placed on a competitived scale with surrounding counties, but I just hope we get the same consideration.

  15. Is there an explanation of the the category change from “Specialist” to “MA+30?” (I hold two master’s degrees and wonder if I will finally get paid for them…)

  16. Help me, I’m poor

    I would also like to know about the new MA+30 designation – I have 2 masters degrees as well but one is not technically in an education field. Would we need to apply for re-classification somewhere, or will Human Resources figure that out on their own?

  17. It is amazing how there is not a sense of urgency to get teachers compensated. Dekalb has teacher shortage now and it will be worse if this phase 2 does not happen. The core teachers are leaving! We have observed the kaos with the spending on the Gwinnett Arena welcome last year and the adding area superintendents and coordinators.

  18. Ok. I have all the docs that are expected to be presented at the next board meeting regarding the new salaries and structures. There are some good comparison tables. Give me a couple hours to convert them to web friendly tables. I’ll post it all shortly.

  19. Thanks so much Stan! We really appreciate you!

  20. did you convert it yet Stan?

  21. Sorry. I got distracted. I’m watching football and working on it right now. Give me an hour to finish and edit.

  22. Hi, If this is correct. This is the best news I’ve heard in years. I would love to know what the M+30 means. Dekalb teachers who have stuck with DeKalb deserve this pat on the back.

    Also, thanks for always keeping use abreast regarding what is really going on.

  23. If this is approved, this will literally change my life. I’ve given Dekalb 16 years and have had to take on numerous part-time jobs to survive.