Schools join program that pays teachers for extra work

John Rohlf, Staff Writer
Posted 10/4/22

The Warrenton County R-III and Wright City R-II school districts have both approved plans to implement a “career ladder” program partially funded by the state. 

The career …

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Schools join program that pays teachers for extra work

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The Warrenton County R-III and Wright City R-II school districts have both approved plans to implement a “career ladder” program partially funded by the state. 

The career ladder program, also known as the Missouri Career Development and Excellence Plan, allocates salary supplements for teaching staff who perform additional responsibilities that they aren’t already compensated for. The program is funded up to 60% by the state. The school district is required to match 40% of the cost if the district chooses to implement the voluntary program. 

The program is divided into three stages that pay between $1,500 to $5,000. Teachers who choose to participate in the voluntary program are required to work between 50 to 100 hours, depending on the stage.

Stage one offers $1,500 if a teacher works 50 extra hours. The teacher must also have two years of teaching experience in Missouri public schools. Stage two offers $3,000 if a teacher works 75 extra hours. They must have three years of experience in Missouri public schools. Stage three offers $5,000 if the teacher works 100 extra hours. They must have five years of experience in Missouri public schools. The extra hours must be outside of their regular duties.

The Wright City R-II School Board approved offering all three stages of the program. Wright City R-II Superintendent Chris Berger sees the program helping the district to recruit teachers. 

“I think at least in the short term there’s going to be a lot of school districts that don’t do this,” Berger said. “I think it may grow if they continue to fund it. But I think we will be able to use it as a recruitment tool. That’s $5,000.”

The Warren County R-III School Board approved a plan to only implement stage one of the program. R-III Superintendent Gregg Klinginsmith said the district’s administrators believed the cost to implement all three stages of the program was too steep. The cost for all three stages, if all eligible teachers participated, would have been around $400,000, Klinginsmith said. 

With just stage one, he said the cost is about $140,000 if every eligible teacher participates in the voluntary program. 

“I do think we need to try to participate in the program in some way,” Klinginsmith said. “Just doing the first step is something that we should do.”

Klinginsmith confirmed the district could offer stage two and three reimbursements in future years. There is also a push for the state to fully fund the program. 

Warren County School District, Wright City School District, Career Ladder

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