BCPSS approve employee raises, extend Dr. Lee's contract

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Those working in the Baldwin County Public School system haven't received a raise since 2008. On Monday, the school board approved a one-percent, across-the-board increase.  Officials said it will cost the district $1,607,270.

District One school board member David Cox said this pay raise will take effect July 1.

"It'll be paid for by our local funds, our sales tax, our local property tax. Anything above and beyond what the state allocates, we pay for out of our local funds," Cox said.

Cox said the school board never wanted to freeze salary increases but had to default to the state minimum salary. He claimed that's not stopping the school system from hiring the best and brightest.

"We want to recruit the best teachers in Baldwin County...and all of our employees," Cox said.

Even though the school board voted on the one-percent pay raise, there is a possibility that could increase to 2.5 percent in the future. However, it is not known when that increase would happen.  

The state school board has proposed a larger raise for some time now, but nothing has been passed at the state level.

"We were in hopes that it would kind of come though. It's been up and down. The latest news we heard was not as positive. But the state budget has not been passed."

FOX10 News tried to contact Senator Trip Pittman's office about the potential 2.5 percent increase but have not heard back.

At Rockwell Elementary, teachers said they are happy to get a raise, even a one-percent increase.

First grade teacher Mindy Downing said it's a morale boost for teachers

"It shows the teachers are supported and valued. It's definitely an exciting time for teachers to get the recognition that we've been wanting and hoping for," Downing said.

Fellow teacher Jane Allen Hotard is excited for all those involved.

“It's encouraging because it shows efforts we've had with the taxes that have passed, that the school board is hearing us, and they appreciate us. I think it's a great thing," Hotard said.

 The school board also voted 6-1 to extend Superintendent Dr.Alan Lee's contract.  Officials said the new contract period is for four years and does not include an increase in pay. It includes one additional week of vacation and a reduction in the required notice of contract termination, from a six months notice to three months

The Baldwin County Public School System is also receiving a boost in the classrooms of middle school students. At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, high school students in Baldwin County received Apple MacBooks. Now, thanks to a prestigious honor by Apple, middle school students will have the same technology at their fingertips.

"Moving forward with the Digital Renaissance for the school system and taking it to seventh and eighth grade is one of the premiere things that Baldwin County is doing that many other places in this state, and in this nation are not doing. I'm very excited about that."