Henrico School Board to consider expanding “Career Ladder” salary increase program
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The Henrico School Board will receive an update from Henrico Schools leaders on the division’s "Career Ladder" program during a 3:30 p.m. work session on Feb. 22.
Implemented during the 2022-2023 school year, the Career Ladder allows certain full-time staff members such as teachers, school nurses, counselors, and instructional coaches to receive pay increases based on their certifications. While master’s degrees are compensated outside of the Career Ladder, doctoral degrees and National Board Certifications earn employees salary advancements through the program.
The Career Ladder also includes two professional learning opportunities created and led by HCPS staff: one-year specialization courses, which are no-cost and result in a 4.8% salary increase, and shorter microcredential experiences, which have no salary compensation.
HCPS leaders will discuss plans to expand the program to include bus drivers, instructional assistants, office professionals, and other school leaders.
This past school year, HCPS created a new teacher licensure cohort as a part of the program. About 100 participants will become fully licensed classroom teachers at no-cost over one year through the cohort.
At a 6:30 p.m. monthly meeting on Feb. 22, the school board will reconvene to vote on the division’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which would add $34.3 million to the general fund to ensure that staff positions temporarily funded by pandemic relief grants could stay on the payroll for another two years.
Members of the public also will have an opportunity to speak to the board at the monthly meeting’s public forum.
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Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.
