Taking the same approach as they did with the teachers contract, Brookfield school officials sought to “right size” the pay for the non-teaching employees in a new three-year contract, said district Treasurer Jordan Weber.
The contract was approved Sept. 20 by the school board, which followed the unanimous ratification by the Brookfield Association of School Employees, which represents secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, aides and others.
“First year, we kind of adjusted salaries to be more competitive or comparable to surrounding or similar districts in the county and the state for those positions,” said Supt. Toby Gibson.
That means the first-year pay hikes differed according to position. For instance, cook’s helpers will get a 30-percent increase, going from $11.58 an hour to $15. Other positions received smaller percentage increases.
In years two and three, everyone gets 2 percent pay hikes.
“As president of the Brookfield Association of School Employees I would like to take a moment to extend my thanks to Supt. Gibson and Treasurer Weber for negotiating a contract fairly with BASE representatives and acknowledging the classified members’ contributions to the Brookfield Local School District,” Dawn Burns said in a statement.
The union represents about 35 employees. The contract is retroactive to July 1.
The district’s generosity was made possible by the state budget, which is granting Brookfield schools more than $1 million in extra funds for the 2023-24 school year, and about $580,000 in the next year.
