WS/FCS school board approves longevity supplements for classified staff

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education unanimously approved policy changes to give supplements to certain employees based on years of experience. 

The policy revisions are part of a plan to improve pay for classified staff like bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and teacher assistants. 

Last month, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education took the first step, approving raises for these employees. 

At a special meeting on Tuesday, members also voted to revise district policy to include a longevity supplement. Chief Human Resources Officer Chris Weikart said that entails an additional raise every three years. 

“So someone who has three to five years of service to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools would get an extra 1%," he said. "If you have 30 plus years, you're at 10%.”

That supplement will go to certain permanent classified employees who work at least 20 hours a week. Custodians and child nutrition workers, who work at least 15 hours a week, are also included in that group.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.