C. J. Huff: I'm fighting for teacher pay; We're going to take a survey

It was C. J. Huff who signed off  this summer on a budget plan that would have given his teachers a raise amounting to three dollars a week and would have once again prevented teachers from receiving steps on their salary schedules.

For one of the few times since he became Joplin R-8 superintendent, the board did not follow Huff's recommendations with the Finance Committee working out a way for faculty and staff to receive raises.

From that point on, Huff has claimed that it was he who made sure the teachers received salary increases, even making that statement in meetings with faculty representatives.

And now Huff has formed a committee, headed by his COO Tina Smith to examine the salary schedules. The following e-mail was sent to staff November 4:

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Last year the Board approved our Standards of Excellence as the guiding document for the important work we will be doing in the coming years. One of the five standards clearly states that we will become the "Employer of Choice." Part of the work that must happen to meet that standard is a comprehensive salary and benefits review of Joplin Schools.

To that end, the Joplin Schools Salary and Benefits Committee met last night for the first time and has begun this important work. The following is a broad overview of the categories the committee will be reviewing for each job classification within the Joplin Schools:

Salary Schedule Review and Compensation Analysis

Competitive Benefits

Compensation for Added Responsibilities

Employee Recognition
Communication

More specific sub-categories will be reviewed in the coming weeks and months. The efforts of the committee will be communicated to you as the work progresses. In the meantime, expect to see a survey in the coming weeks to help the committee refine it's work. Clarity is needed and your voice is important. This survey will be an important piece of hearing your thoughts and good ideas.


Thanks in advance for your support of this effort.


For our kids,


CJ

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