DeKalb proposes $60,000 starting teacher pay, a $2,000 retention incentive and targeted recruitment bonuses

Human Resources presented a draft FY25 compensation and recruitment package the board reviewed on May 6 that would materially raise entry pay for teachers and add short-term retention and recruitment incentives.

Under the proposal the district would set a $60,000 starting salary for first-year teachers and increase mid-career steps to narrow gaps between year 5 and year 15. HR said the proposed top-of-scale teacher pay would exceed $113,000. To encourage retention HR proposed a one‑time $2,000 payment for returning full-time employees hired on or before June 30, 2024, plus targeted new‑hire bonuses of $2,000 (teachers, bus drivers, SROs, paraprofessionals, nurses) and $2,500 for teachers in math, science and some special‑education roles. An additional $1,000 exceptional‑service payment was proposed for employees with 30+ years of service.

HR estimated the package at roughly $26.71 million and said ESSER dollars would be used to pay incentives in the first year; changes to the salary schedule would be part of the FY25 budget process. Trustees broadly praised the plan as a major step to improve recruitment and retention, especially in hard‑to‑staff Horizon schools; members asked the administration to publicize the plan and provide clear documentation on who is eligible and how the incentives will be administered.

Next steps: The compensation elements were presented as part of the FY25 budget and require final board approval with the FY25 budget adoption. HR said incentive payments would be made in lump sums and that recipients must be active employees when paid.