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Wage hike for ‘frozen’ teachers, service providers OK’d
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Posted on Jan 22 2009
[B]By MONETH G. DEPOSA[/B]
[I]moneth_deposa@saipantribune.com
REPORTER[/I]
REPORTER[/I]
After waiting for more than two years, two groups of educators from the Public School System are closer to getting their much-awaited wage increase.
The Board of Education’s fiscal and personnel committee has recommended for approval the Step 11 increase in the salaries of “frozen teachers,” effective immediately.
According to Public School System human resource officer Ramon Diaz Jr., four classroom teachers, majority from the secondary levels, will be accorded the step-in increase beginning February once processing is completed.
These four educators are highly qualified teachers—with degrees, valid certifications, and passed Praxis—but were excluded in the teachers’ compensation plan approved by the board in 2006. They were excluded from the plan because they were receiving the maximum salary offered.
Diaz said the four teachers are currently receiving $41,000 to $45,000 in yearly compensation from PSS, while the compensation plan offers maximum of $47,000 annual pay depending on qualification and credentials.
In acknowledging the present financial condition of public schools, the human resource officer said the delay in the decision was due to the comprehensive “cost-impact analysis” conducted by PSS.
“The cost-impact review showed a very minimal impact [on PSS finance],” Diaz told Saipan Tribune, adding that approximately $30,000-$40,000 personnel cost will be incurred from the move.
The amount, he said, includes the wage hike for service providers for special education program.
The filling in of hard-to-fill positions at the special education program continues to challenge PSS.
On top of the maximum salary offered for these posts, which is $47,000, Diaz said the board had approved a 5-percent “frozen pay differential” for service providers such as speech pathologists.
Saipan Tribune learned that about 18 special education service providers will receive the frozen pay differential next month.
“As soon as all papers are signed, we will then ask the Finance Department to release the step-in increase of these educators who are vital to the operation of public schools,” Diaz said.
The board’s decision recognizes the hard work and patience of these individuals serving the students.
