SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano School Board has approved more than $500,000 in wage increases for district employees, though the decision drew debate over how the raises were presented and approved.
The action, taken April 27, provides a 2.63% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees. Support staff will receive an additional 0.37% boost, bringing their total increase to 3%, while administrators will receive only the cost-of-living adjustment.
Teacher raises will vary more widely. In addition to the base increase, educators will receive market adjustments and placement on a new salary schedule. Those changes could push some increases as high as 10.4%, with the overall average estimated at about 3.85%, according to Finance Director Bryan Kadlec.
The new pay plan also raises starting teacher salary from $46,070 to $47,281 beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Kadlec told the board the cost of the increases is projected at $370,593 for teachers, $83,174 for support staff and $50,632 for administrators. Financial projections had already accounted for a 3% salary increase across the district, and additional funding became available after insurance renewal costs came in about 4% lower than expected.
Despite the approval, some board members questioned voting on the entire package at once instead of separating the groups.
Board member Bobbi Lemerond cast the lone vote against the proposal. She said she would have preferred separate votes and more time to review the information, noting the board received its agenda only days before the meeting.
Lemerond also expressed concern about the lack of detailed breakdowns of how the increases would affect individual employees, saying she wanted reassurance that veteran teachers would be treated fairly under the new structure.
The measure ultimately passed, setting the new salary schedule and raises in motion for the upcoming school year.
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