School board approves first reading of extra‑duty salary schedule after debate over coaches’ pay

The Gallatin County Board of Education approved the first reading of the 2026–27 extra‑duty salary schedule after extended discussion over how much the district should allocate to coaches and other extra‑duty positions.

Board leadership presented the proposed schedule and described an approach that moves toward lump‑sum allotments by sport to make budgeting and post‑season accounting simpler. The chair said the intent was to make it “an easier way to track on how much we're making in the sports versus in other departments.” The presentation listed individual allotments for extracurriculars and sports; during discussion staff quoted the schedule in the meeting record (transcribed figures include: football $22.05; baseball/softball $14,000; basketball listed as 30; golf $7,500; soccer $7,200; tennis $4,000; cheer $6,000; cross country $3,000; volleyball 35; middle school athletic director $13,000).

The debate focused on fairness across sports and how the lump‑sum approach would be split between boys’ and girls’ teams. One board member questioned whether football’s allotment was justified relative to basketball and noted basketball players’ year‑round time commitment, saying the difference in pay “was a pretty big amount.” The chair responded that the allotments give coaches a fixed pool of money: “I don't care how many coaches you hire. That's how much money you've got.”

Board members also discussed a prior internal change that combined a part‑time RTI position and a GT position into a full‑time RTI role; the salary schedule included adjustments to reflect that swap. A staff member noted the importance of accurately listing stipend items so employees receive retirement credit for those payments.

One member indicated a potential conflict and recused from the vote, and the board agreed to approve the first reading while staff and two board members would finalize and "clean up" the basketball numbers for the next version. The chair moved the first reading as presented; the motion carried at the meeting with the board recording the vote as approved for the first reading and planning a second reading with corrected figures.

What happens next: The board approved the first reading and directed staff to adjust the basketball figures and provide an updated schedule for the second reading at a later meeting.