Paris Independent board approves tentative FY2026–27 budget and new salary schedules

The Paris Independent School Board on a voice vote approved a tentative FY2026–27 general fund budget and a set of revised salary and stipend schedules that district leaders said will make the certified pay scale more competitive with neighboring districts.

Superintendent Stephen McCully and finance lead Amanda Talbot told the board the tentative general fund totals just over $7,400,000, with about $5,000,000 budgeted for salaries and benefits — roughly 70% of the general fund. Talbot said she carried forward non‑personnel amounts and adjusted salary lines to align with newly proposed certified and classified salary schedules.

"We believe this would make us ... on a certified scale the highest in the community," McCully said, describing a line‑by‑line comparison of neighboring districts. He said the aggregate cost is approximately equivalent to a 4.5–5% raise across the board while noting the district targeted classroom impact and prioritized higher increases where experience gaps existed.

Key changes approved by the board include extending secretary positions from 28 to 220 days to cover summer enrollment work and other schedule adjustments for classified and certified staff. The board also approved a motion to make certain Frisk coordinator salary changes retroactive for the 2025–26 year and to create a director of operations job description and salary schedule to allow an incoming director to shadow the retiring director.

Board members voted to approve the tentative budget (motion by Bruce, second by Kelly) and to approve the 2026–27 salary and stipend schedule and job descriptions effective July 1 (motion carried). The board also approved a capital funds request allowing restricted capital dollars to be reallocated in limited cases to offset general fund expenses such as insurance and bus maintenance; the superintendent said freeing those restricted funds helped make the proposed raises affordable.

The board approved several project‑related motions during the same meeting, including BG4 paperwork to move toward closeout of the new preschool/elementary building and a change order (DPL16) attached to that project. The district said one security door remains to be installed before final closeout.

The tentative budget is subject to later review and final adoption following required public notices and additional budget work sessions. The superintendent said he will distribute KDE materials and further documentation to board members for review.