MLO/Bond 2023
Our Ballot Proposals
Mill Levy Override
$60 Million for Competitive Compensation
$6 Million for Enhanced Security Staffing
Bond
$484 Million - Security, Career and Technical Education, Safe and Adequate Learning Spaces for Students and Staff
Douglas County School District's 2023 ballot proposal includes:
- 1. More Competitive Pay for Teachers and Staff
- 2. Will Increase and Maintain School Security
- 3. Additional Career & Technical Education (CTE) Opportunities for Students
- 4. Update, Maintain, and Construct Educational Facilities
1. More Competitive Pay for Teachers and Staff
Each school district can request additional local funding through a local Mill Levy Override (MLO). This funding is generally used for operations, including salaries, staffing, and student programming. Providing competitive pay is essential to teacher and staff retention.
Currently, teachers in neighboring school districts make about $19,000 more per year compared to DCSD.
Mill Levy Override - Staff Recommendations
$60 Million for Competitive Compensation
$6 Million for Enhanced Security Staffing
A $66 million Mill Levy Override would be invested into:
- Making district-wide compensation more competitive with other school districts so we can hold onto our valued teachers and staff.
- Increasing and maintaining school security support, such as School Resource Officers.
| Compensation | Security | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Mill | $60.0M | $6.0 | $66.0M |
| District Allocation (76%) | $45.6M* | $4.6M | $50.2M* |
| Charter Allocation (24%) | $14.4M* | $1.4M | $15.8M* |
*Based on 2023-2024 funded pupil count projection used in 2023-2024 Proposed Budget, excluding HOPE Online.
Specific District Compensation Changes (non-charter)
Every district employee will know exactly what their pay increase will be (retroactive to July 1) should the potential MLO pass. Charter schools will implement their own compensation strategies.
District Teacher (Licensed) Compensation Investment*
Licensed employees will see an average increase of 9.2%.
- Teachers over their cell will receive a 7% ongoing increase.
- A step has been added to the bachelor’s lanes on the salary schedules.
- 110-day (post-retirement) employees will receive a 3.5% increase.
DCSD will continue to work on future enhancements based on feedback, as resources allow.
Licensed Employees Pay Examples (same cell placement on the post-MLO salary schedule) (see Appendix A)
- Example: A teacher on Step 10 with a Bachelor’s Degree will go from $55,637 to $61,758 (General Schedule).
- Example: A teacher on Step 12 with a Master’s Degree will go from $70,417 to $76,992 (Hard to Hire Schedule).
- Example: A teacher on Step 15 with a Master’s Degree +15 credits will go from $85,919 to $92,793 (Extremely Hard to Hire Schedule).
* Licensed employees will remain at approximately 70% of total compensation for the District.
District Staff (Non-Licensed) Compensation Investment*
Average salary increase for non-licensed staff will be 8%**.
- Increases by Employee Group - Support Staff (Classified): 9% -110 (post-retirement): 3.5% - All other regular staff: 7%
- Ranges will shift along with pay making all ranges more competitive for hiring.
- Will continue to work in the future on calibrations between and within groups. Non-licensed employees will remain at approximately 30% of total compensation for the District.
**Non-licensed average does not include 110 employees.
District Compensation Timeline (if MLO passes) Pay changes will be retroactive to July 1, 2023.
- January 2024 Payroll: Lump sum retroactive payment.
- February 2024 Payroll: New rate of pay begins.
2. Will Increase and Maintain School Security
Mill Levy Override - Staff Recommendations
$6 Million for Enhanced Security Staffing
$60 Million for Competitive Compensation
A $66 million Mill Levy Override would be invested into:
- Increasing and maintaining school security support, such as School Resource Officers.
- Making district-wide compensation more competitive with other school districts so we can hold onto our valued teachers and staff.
| Security | Compensation | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Mill | $6.0 | $60.0M | $66.0M |
| District Allocation (76%) | $4.6M | $45.6M* | $50.2M* |
| Charter Allocation (24%) | $1.4M | $14.4M* | $15.8M* |
*Based on 2023-2024 funded pupil count projection used in 2023-2024 Proposed Budget, excluding HOPE Online.
Bond - Staff Recommendations
$484 Million - Security, Career and Technical Education, Safe and Adequate Learning Spaces for Students and Staff
The bond would be an investment in school safety and security upgrades; Career and Technical Education opportunities for students; and updating, maintaining, equipping, replacing and constructing educational facilities consistent with the district bond plan to provide safe and adequate learning spaces for students and staff, and to reduce overcrowding.
Important Note: Bond project costs are estimates based on 2023 cost data and projected inflation. Actual renewal and replacement projects completed may vary due to changing conditions or circumstances.
| Neighborhood School Construction | $226M |
|---|---|
| Capital Renewal and Replacement | $145M |
| Safety and Security | $15M |
| Career and Technical Education | $26M |
| Special Education | $17M |
| Information Technology | $20M |
| Athletics and Activities | $8M |
| Bond Fees and Contingency | $27M |
| Total Bond for the Entire District | $484M |
3. Additional Career & Technical Education (CTE) Opportunities for Students
Bond - Staff Recommendations
$484 Million - Security, Career and Technical Education, Safe and Adequate Learning Spaces for Students and Staff
The bond would be an investment in school safety and security upgrades; Career and Technical Education opportunities for students; and updating, maintaining, equipping, replacing and constructing educational facilities consistent with the district bond plan to provide safe and adequate learning spaces for students and staff, and to reduce overcrowding.
Important Note: Bond project costs are estimates based on 2023 cost data and projected inflation. Actual renewal and replacement projects completed may vary due to changing conditions or circumstances.
| Neighborhood School Construction | $226M |
|---|---|
| Capital Renewal and Replacement | $145M |
| Safety and Security | $15M |
| Career and Technical Education | $26M |
| Special Education | $17M |
| Information Technology | $20M |
| Athletics and Activities | $8M |
| Bond Fees and Contingency | $27M |
| Total Bond for the Entire District | $484M |
4. Update, Maintain, and Construct Educational Facilities
Bond - Staff Recommendations
$484 Million - Security, Career and Technical Education, Safe and Adequate Learning Spaces for Students and Staff
The bond would be an investment in school safety and security upgrades; Career and Technical Education opportunities for students; and updating, maintaining, equipping, replacing and constructing educational facilities consistent with the district bond plan to provide safe and adequate learning spaces for students and staff, and to reduce overcrowding.
Important Note: Bond project costs are estimates based on 2023 cost data and projected inflation. Actual renewal and replacement projects completed may vary due to changing conditions or circumstances.
| Neighborhood School Construction | $226M |
|---|---|
| Capital Renewal and Replacement | $145M |
| Safety and Security | $15M |
| Career and Technical Education | $26M |
| Special Education | $17M |
| Information Technology | $20M |
| Athletics and Activities | $8M |
| Bond Fees and Contingency | $27M |
| Total Bond for the Entire District | $484M |