D21 employees get cost of living increase ranging from 3 to 3.5 percent
D21 Education Association Jodi Ketchum tells the school board about a recent $5,000 donation from the union towards the building of a new high school if the bond passes on Nov. 7. The Meeting was held on Oct. 26.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 30, 2023 - The second largest employer in Wasco County provided raises to all of its employees last week as inflation, captured by the consumer price index, keeps eating away at discretionary income.
North Wasco County School District Board members agreed to 3 percent raises for teachers, confidential and non-represented employees while support staff, who are generally on the lower end of the wage scale, got a 3.5 percent raise. The decision was made at the board’s regular meeting on Oct. 26.
The salaries were budgeted for except for the ex
The decisions to increase salaries were unanimous. The school district employs some 400 people as it provides education to 2,851 students, according to the latest enrollment statistics.
The Good News
When employees earn more, it increases their discretionary spending budgets. Extra spending introduces money into the economy, helping to stimulate it. With more spending, more money is directed to smaller businesses, resulting in growth that bolsters local economies.
The Bad News
Kindergarten through 12th grade Education remains one of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy since the Pandemic reared its head and the ensuing inflation followed.
The National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) School Pulse Panel reported 42% of all principals said teachers and staff leaving the profession became a "more pressing concern" during the school year in 2022-23.
Shortages for school districts are across the board, affecting bus drivers, cooks, custodians, teachers and teacher assistants.
“Low pay is a long-standing issue for support staff. From 2014 to 2019, the median weekly wage (in 2020$) for food service workers in K–12 education was $331, while school bus drivers received $493 and teaching assistants $507. In contrast, the median U.S. worker earned $790 per week, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Locally, District 21 Education Association President Jodi Ketchum thanked Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Bernal for her collaborative efforts to negotiate the wages for teachers in The Dalles.
“It does not meet the current cost of living adjustment( COLA),” Ketchum told the Board. “We urge the board to work with Superintendent Bernal to ensure teachers get full COLA next year, noting there are 10 districts in Oregon on the precipice of striking on issues of salary and or class size.
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