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In a move to be more competitive in employing and retaining personnel, the School Board has approved additional financial compensation for classified and support employees.

The board agreed to up the pay by 20 percent for administrative assistants, secretaries and receptionists at the lowest employment level at a meeting on Oct. 9.

Linda Foster, human resources supervisor, used an example where the transportation administrative assistant’s starting salary had been $14.65 per hour. She said the position requires computer expertise and other clerical skills that go beyond what would be required for other entry-level positions in other professions, and $14.65 per hour is not enough to keep them from seeking other jobs where they would be better compensated.

The board agreed to up the amount by 20 percent to $17.58 per hour for administrative assistants at entry level through three years of experience.

Pay rates were also increased in smaller percentages for employees with more longevity.

The rate was increased:

— From $15.99 to $18.58 for those with four to six years’ experience, a 16 percent increase.

— From $17.33 to $19.58 for employees with seven and eight years’ experience, a 13 percent increase.

— From $18.67 to $20.58 for nine and 10 years of experience, a 10 percent increase.

— From $20.02 to $21.58 for those with 11 to 12 years’ experience, an 8 percent increase.

The rate for those with more than 13 years’ experience remains at $22.58 per hour.

When the School Board and County Commission approved the 2023-24 budget, it included a 10 percent cost-of-living increase for certified and support staff and also included a 5 percent health-insurance increase to go into effect in January 2024.

The goal has been to try to keep up with the rising cost of inflation and retain employees who would be seeking higher compensation elsewhere.

However, the School Board agreed the entry-level administrative support positions needed to pay at higher levels because they were still too low, even with the previous 10 percent increase.

While discussing capital-maintenance issues, School Board Member Lance Williams asked Maintenance Director Steven Clark if the 10-percent pay increase had helped his employees.

Clark said it did.

“They are in the ballpark right now,” he said, referring to the salaries being competitive.

However, School Board members have said that the pay increases will only be playing catch-up to what other nearby school systems have been paying, and if other systems offer similar raises, Franklin County will remain behind and continue to lose qualified employees.