LPS Board of Education Reaches Deal on Teacher Salary Increase

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) -Lincoln Public Schools wants to pay its teachers almost 8% more over the next two years. The agreement between the union and the district was unveiled at the March 8 board meeting.

LPS said the pandemic prevented them from giving a big raise last year and they hope this new contract will show teachers how much they are appreciated.

The Board of Education has heard the new salary proposals for LPS teachers. It includes an increase and an increase in health insurance, pension and social security contributions.

“Last year, with the pandemic and the many cuts we suffered, we didn’t give as big a raise as we would like, but this year we know our teachers deserve it and that’s why we let’s give and raise this year,” said Connie Duncan, Board Chair.

Next year, teachers would earn about 4.1% more. Teachers could earn between $1,740 and $3,248 more per year.

The base salary of a college-educated freshman teacher would be around $47,000.

“I just want to take a moment to go and thank the teachers for working so hard, for so many hours, for enduring so much stress that the pandemic has put a strain on us all and our teachers have always risen to every challenge,” said said board member Barbara Baier. “And I deeply appreciate your dedication, your patience and your ability to continue to put our children first.”

For 2023-2024, it increases even more, with another increase of 3.65%.

The Board of Education is expected to take a final vote on the two-year contract at the next meeting on April 12. Teachers’ salaries weren’t the only thing to come out of the council meeting. They also approved the salary of the new superintendent. Paul Gausman’s base will be $324,000, a significant increase from what he earned in Sioux City, but $10,000 less than Steve Joel’s salary this year.

In light of the improving COVID situation, the board also eliminated the emergency powers resolution. It has gone through changes over the past two years, but was first implemented in March 2020 to give administrators faster control during the pandemic.

The district had just 50 total positive cases last week among students and staff, the lowest of the school year.

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