More raises up for Modesto City Schools board vote

Modesto City Schools trustees will be asked Monday to give additional raises to bring employees up to the 6 percent increase granted teachers in their 2015-16 contract.

The hikes to be voted on include 6 percent boosts for top cabinet officials, including that of Deputy Superintendent Craig Rydquist, whose promotional pay jump this fall became a rallying point for teachers. Under the new agreement, Rydquist would get 6 percent on top of the earlier 7.3 percent rise, bringing his pay as head of human resources to $180,135 a year.

The 6 percent would bring the pay of Associate Superintendent Ginger Johnson, head of educational services, and Chief Business Official Julie Betschart to $155,884.

The 6 percent adds $14,603 percent to the cost of Superintendent Pam Able’s contract, which would rise to $253,236 under the new agreement.

The board will also be asked to bolster contracts another 2 percent as of January for support staff and middle managers. Both groups had settled earlier in the year for 4 percent pay hikes. The half-year additional boost is estimated to cost the district $1.5 million.

In other business, the board will be asked to create the position of foster youth specialist to help children with chaotic home lives and frequent moves get needed services. The position, pledged in budget plans for this year, waited on protracted teacher contract negotiations to end to go forward.

The proposed description requires three years of classroom teaching experience. Duties include developing a personal educational plan and monitoring the progress of children in the foster care system.

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 8:09 PM with the headline "More raises up for Modesto City Schools board vote."