Brainerd teacher pay ranks high
Brainerd teachers draw a higher salary, on average, than the average teacher salaries paid at most area schools, schools in the Central Lakes Conference and at nine districts of a similar size in the state, the Dispatch has learned.
The average Brainerd teacher's salary is $55,655 while the beginning teacher salary is $34,459. The district's highest teacher salary is $66,311.
To view this comprehensive chart of comparative school district administrative and teacher salaries in a larger, readable size, click on the chart or here.
In comparison, Brainerd administrators are paid significantly lower - anywhere from $8,000 to $16,000 on average less - than administrators in charge of schools with similar enrollment.
So what does this mean for Brainerd students or district taxpayers? Are they getting a good return on their investment?
Many believe they are, based on student achievement scores, which are higher than the state average and higher, on average, than most schools in the lakes area. During the 2008-09 school year, figures from the state Department of Education show 79.58 percent of Brainerd students achieved proficiency in reading while 67.42 percent achieved proficiency in math, based on MCA test scores. Statewide proficiency is 63.86 percent in math and 71.92 percent in reading.
Brainerd students also scored significantly higher than students in neighboring communities, 9.44 percent higher in reading proficiency and 10.24 percent higher in math proficiency when compared to seven smaller area districts.
Brainerd students also performed well on state assessments when compared to other students in the Central Lakes Conference, of which Brainerd is a member. On average, Brainerd students overall scored 7.54 percent higher on reading and 3.85 percent higher on math assessment tests.
The Sartell-St. Stephen School District reported higher proficiency than Brainerd in both reading and math and Alexandria School District achieved a higher math proficiency. Both are conference members.
When compared to students attending nine similar-sized schools in the state, Brainerd students, on average, achieved higher reading proficiency scores than students in all but one district - Centennial School District based in Blaine. Brainerd students didn't do as well in math test scores when compared to those same schools, receiving lower average test scores than five districts - Mankato, Forest Lake, Prior Lake-Savage, Centennial and Roseville.
Brainerd Superintendent Steve Razidlo said in an interview Tuesday the district is working on increasing student proficiency, particularly in math.
"We want to use districts as benchmarks and targets for our own achievements," said Razidlo. "If someone else is paving the way, you have a responsibility to catch up and succeed."
Razidlo added that test scores are only one marker for student achievement.
"It's our hope through the course of their years that not only are they great readers and mathematicians but we hope they continue to be enriched by the people who serve them," Razidlo said of students. "For many students, we are the most safe and predictable times in their day and our teachers get credit for that."
Steve Lund, director of business services for Brainerd School District, said he has analyzed the figures, and concludes that the district is getting a better return on its investment, based on average teacher salaries and student achievement scores.
"If you asked me if I could lower our average teacher wage to the state average, but in turn, our proficiency measurements would also be lowered to the state average, I would not remotely consider the trade," said Lund.
Lund said, as an illustrative example and not as goals that can be obtained on a year-to-year basis, if the state average teacher salary of $52,409 is providing a reading proficiency of 71.92 percent, the return would be 1.37 percent for every $1,000 of teacher salary. In Brainerd, the district is returning a reading proficiency of 79.92 percent on an average teacher salary of $55,655, or 1.44 percent for every $1,000 of teacher salary.
"A 1.44 percent return is better than a 1.37 percent return, so I go back to Warren Buffet's quote: 'Price is what you pay, value is what you get,'" said Lund. "Even though our teacher 'price' may seem higher, our value is outpacing the state average."
Further complicating an analysis of school salaries and its impact on student performance are other factors, such as the percentage of students who are enrolled in special education services and those who qualify for free and reduced meals. Also, 46 percent of Brainerd teachers have reached the top of the pay schedule for the district's master contract. Experienced teachers earn more than beginning teachers.
Razidlo said class size and number of students also are a factor in teacher and administrator compensation. In Brainerd, the district went from employing more than 500 teachers to less than 420 teachers in six years. The district started the 2008-09 school year, the first year following $5.5 million in budget cuts, with 418 teachers.
"It puts a great burden on the staff that remains, like businesses and institutions around us (that have experienced layoffs), we're doing more with fewer staff," said Razidlo.
Another factor that is difficult to quantify and compare between districts are teacher benefit packages negotiated between school districts and teachers' unions. The Brainerd district often receives hundreds of applications when it has an opening for an elementary teacher and salary and benefits are part of the appeal of the district.
"Salary and benefits go hand and hand," said Razidlo. "We're proud of our contracts here."
The Brainerd School Board begins mediation with its teacher's union, Education Minnesota Brainerd, March 9 in Brainerd in hopes of reaching a settlement for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 teacher contracts.
Tim Edinger, president of Education Minnesota Brainerd, said Tuesday that salaries and test scores represent what he called a snapshot in time. He said it's important to take a holistic view, including historical trends in student achievement data and compensation packages.
Razidlo said the district hopes the effect of education isn't reduced to one test score as the goal is to create better students and better people and the effect of education can't be seen in a single test.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.