(NOTE: This interview with Athens ISD’s Dr. Janie Sims was recorded June 26 and ranged over a variety of topics: The start of school, the Virtual Academy, the new free meal program, and teacher raises. There is too much for one post, so I have written other stories. You will find links to those below. I invite you to listen to the interview above to learn more. -- Michael)
Athens ISD trustees approved a pay raise for all district employees last week.
The district approved a 3 percent raise for all employees except bus drivers, who received a 2 percent increase.
“Last year, we gave our bus drivers two raises,” Acting Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims said. She also explained that bus drivers had asked for their pay to be spread over 12 months instead of the current 10 months, which the district also approved.
The district’s pay scale is an important factor in attracting talented teachers and employees, Sims said.
“We’re in competition for the best teachers and the best employees just like every other school district,” she said, and added that AISD’s proximity to Tyler and the Metroplex increases the challenge.
“We’re not able to pay what they can pay,” she said, “but we have to at least stay competitive.”
AISD does have some strong selling points, Sims said, including the community and the 4-day instructional week.
“Still, people need to see raises whenever we’re able to do that,” she said.
In our interview, Sims and I discussed how the raises ordered by the State Legislature last year impacted this year’s decision. It is an important but complicated factor. To learn more, please listen to the interview above starting at 28:36.
Other stories from this interview:
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