The FY2019 budget is almost finalized and there’s an important change related to salary that will impact most employees.
Salaries Will Increase for Eligible Employees, But Step Number Will Remain the Same
Eligible employees will receive an increase equivalent to one step in their salary scale for the 2018-19 school year, but the step number will remain the same as in 2017-18.
When you receive your contract or salary notification letter, your step placement in 2018-19 will be the same as it was in 2017-18; but, if eligible, your salary will increase. You will receive the same percentage increase in pay as though you were moving to the next step, but your step number will stay the same.
By keeping the step number the same while at the same time increasing salaries, it enables us to increase our salaries at both ends of the scale. Step one is eliminated, raising the entry salary for each grade and a step is added to the top of the scale, raising the maximum salary for each grade. The result is that we have the same total number of steps, but the salary associated with each step is higher.
These changes make our salaries more competitive with surrounding school divisions. Our starting salaries will be higher, making ACPS more attractive to prospective employees and our maximum salaries at each grade will be higher, encouraging longevity.
The change, which goes into effect with the 2018-19 school year budget, will allow staff more opportunities to advance and ensure that our salaries are attractive to external candidates.
The chart below is an example of how the salary associated with each step number will increase from 2017-18 to 2018-19. It shows how a 10-month teacher with a master’s degree who is on step 10 in the 2017-18 school year currently receives an annual salary of $74,376.12. Beginning school year 2018-19, they will receive an increase for 2018-19, taking their salary to $76,979, but the step number will remain the same at step 10 (the example is highlighted in red in the chart below).
Please note that for the majority of staff at ACPS, step number does not equate with years of service.
If You Are Not Eligible for a Step Increase
If you are not eligible for a step increase because you are on a hold step, where your step number increases but the salary does not (see steps highlighted in blue in chart above) or if you have been with ACPS for fewer than 90 days, you will not see an increase in your salary effective July 1.
However, a one-time bonus of one percent for employees on a hold step will be scheduled for payment in December 2018.
Electronic Delivery of Contracts and Salary Notification for All Employees This Year
Last year, licensed staff received their contracts and salary notifications through the People Admin-Records system. This year, that process will be used for all staff, including administrators and support staff. Stay tuned for additional details in early June.
Contracts and Salary Notifications Expected by Monday, June 11, Pending Board Approval
If the School Board approves the 2018-19 budget on Thursday, June 7, Human Resources will make contracts and salary notifications available for electronic signature by close of business on Monday, June 11, 2018.