School counselors to get retroactive salary increase

School counselors who have been waiting for quite some time to get a salary increase has reasons to rejoice, following the Board of Education’s formal adoption of a new salary scheme for them.

To be given retroactively, the new wage schedule, called the Highly Qualified Counselors Requirement and Compensation Plan, would pay counselors according to the type of certification they have obtained within the Public School System. The certification shall be aligned with the compensation plan for public school teachers.

The HQC plan was introduced to the board in December 2006 and was approved in January last year. It was published in the Commonwealth Register in February this year and was adopted as new regulation by the Education Board in its last meeting.

Under the new plan, non-certified counselors will get an annual salary of $27,911 if they have a bachelor’s degree and have taken either Praxis 1 or 2 before July 2006; those who have a master’s degree or higher and have taken both Praxis tests would be paid $28,884.

Counselors hired beginning August 2006 or later, have a degree, and have passed Praxis 2 only will get $27,911, while those with similar qualifications but passed Praxis 2 and have proof of taking Praxis 1 will be paid $28,884.

Counselors who have obtained certificates, have degrees, and are Praxis compliant would receive $30,976 annual pay if they have up to two years experience and were employed by PSS prior to August 2006.

Counselors with a master’s degree or higher, have obtained valid Basic 1 certificate and passed both Praxis tests would be paid $33,289 annually if they have up to two years work experience at PSS.

The Education Board also approved new rates for new counselors employed beginning August 2006, which are: $30,976 if they have a degree, passed both Praxis tests, and have up to four years working experience; $33,289 for those with bachelor degree, Praxis compliant and have up to five years experience.

The same amount will be provided annually to counselors who have a master’s degree and passed both Praxis exams and have up to four years work experience at PSS.

PSS and the board agreed to pay $35,837 to school counselors with a master’s degree and higher, passed rigorous tests and with more than five years on their job.

Those holding Basic II certificates, with bachelor’s degree and have at least two years experience as counselors would receive $35,837 if they are Praxis compliant. Those with the same Basic II certificates but have a master’s degree or higher and have passed both Praxis exams will be getting $38,646.

School counselors who have obtained the standard certificate with endorsement, with degrees, and are Praxis compliant will get annual salary ranging from $35,837 to $45,163, depending on their years of experience, from two years up to 10 years.

The maximum salary under the HQC plan will be given to counselors who have already obtained professional certificates with endorsement, have a master’s degree or higher, and more than 10 years in service. They must also have passed Praxis tests to be eligible to get an annual pay of $47,000.

After approving the plan, the board indicated that PSS will no longer implement annual step or within-grade increases for counselors due to budgetary concerns. Counselors, according to the new regulation, will stay at their salary level for the term of their contract unless the counselor submits proof showing full qualification at a different level.

However, PSS will not adjust the salary in the initial two-year HQC contract term.
The new plan is still subject to change based on the availability of funds.

Marianas High School principal Karen Borja told the board during its recent meeting that school counselors have been faithful in fulfilling their obligations, yet they have been receiving an “unfair” salary scale compared to classroom teachers.

The HQT Compensation Plan for teachers provides a maximum salary of $47,000, depending on qualifications and credentials.

Borja said the “equity issue” between counselors and teachers must be addressed.

In her school, Borja said two of her hardworking counselors who have been with the system for some seven years are still getting a meager salary of $27,000, even though they meet certification and degree requirements.