School board discusses district wage increases

NEW LONDON – The New London Board of Education discussed a potential 2.63% wage increase for district employees for the 2026-27 school year after the district’s Total Compensation Committee recommended bringing the topic to the board for discussion.
The board discussed the potential wage increase at its April 8 meeting.
At the meeting, Joe Marquardt, SDNL business services director, told the board that it was presenting the proposed base wage increase to the board meeting for discussion only. He added that the board would have the opportunity to vote on the proposed increase at its next board meeting.
“The committee really just tried to be thoughtful in how to look at wages because they impact our staff and trying to focus on retention or potentially doing things differently,” Marquardt said.
The compensation committee recommended a 2.63% base wage increase across all employee groups in the district, Marquardt said.

Board Treasurer Mark Grossman said that if the board eventually approved the 2.63% increase, the district would have increased the wages for district employees by almost 10% over the past three years.
“That’s pretty good,” Grossman said.

Financial impact
The proposed 2.63% increase represents the consumer price index (CPI) for 2026-27 base wages. According to the Topic Summary Sheet (TSS) in the board packet, a 2.63% wage increase for certified staff, support staff, and administrative staff would have a budget impact of $445,000. That total is comprised of a total increase of $300,000 for certified staff, $115,000 for support staff, and $30,000 for administrative staff. The totals include wage and fringe benefits.
For certified staff in the district, the TSS stated that the certified teacher wages range from $46,000-$86,177. A 2.63% increase to base wages would range from $1,197-$2,281.

The base wage increase for support staff would be for both hourly and salaried employees.
According to the TSS, for administrative staff, “The district administrator reviews all individual wage increases with the Board and plans to do so again when appropriate by individual.”
It was also stated in the TSS that the district’s budget can support a 2.63% increase for district employees.
“The district is eligible for a $325 increase on the revenue limit authority which results in a 2.9% increase,” it was stated in the TSS. “The district also works towards attrition for retirements/resignations. Newer certified staff typically do not earn what a retiree earns so there can be a savings with new hires.”