Board of Education Chairwoman Lucy Blanco-Maratita, in an e-mail to Variety yesterday, said details of the proposed new regulations are still being finalized.
The regulations will still be published in the Commonwealth Register and will entitle school counselors to a maximum of $47,000 in annual pay.
Since the enactment of Public Law 7-31, which mandates a salary range of $30,000-$32,000 for school counselors, PSS and BOE have yet to upgrade the counselors’ wage schedule and the present salary levels are still based on the government’s civil service pay plan.
Once the regulations are published in the register, the public has 30 days to submit comments.
Currently, a counselor’s salary ranges from $30,000 to $32,000 although they have to meet the same qualifications, degrees, and experience required from classroom teachers.
Once the new rules are implemented, PSS will no longer enforce annual step or within grade increases.
Counselors will stay at the salary level set forth in their employment contracts for the term unless they submit proof showing full qualification at a different level.
There are 20 school counselors who will benefit from the new compensation plan.
The Highly Qualified Counselors Requirements and Compensation Plan was proposed by BOE’s fiscal, personnel and administration committee in 2006 but was not approved by the previous board.
Based on the new compensation plan, a counselor who has a bachelor’s, master’s or higher degree, and who has taken either Praxis I or II before July 31, 2006 will be provided an annual salary of $27,911.46.
Counselors who have the same degrees and have taken both Praxis I and II will get $28,884.60.
These adjustments will be applicable to current employees hired prior to Aug. 1, 2006.
For new employees, or those hired beginning Aug. 1, 2006, $27,911.46 will be provided to those who have a bachelor’s, master’s or a higher degree and have passed Praxis II.
Those with the same degrees, are Praxis II qualified and have proof of taking Praxis I are entitled to get $28,884.60 a year.
Counselors who attained a Basic 1 certificate, obtained their degree and passed both Praxis tests will get $30,976.96.
Those with a master’s degree and are Praxis I and II qualified will be provided $33,289.35.
Those hired beginning on Aug. 1, 2006 will get $30,976.96 if they have a degree, passed both Praxis tests and have four years of experience.
Those with the same qualifications but have more than five years of experience will be provided $33,289.35.
This same amount is also provided to those with a master’s or a higher degree with at least four years experience.
For counselors with a master’s or higher degree, are Praxis compliance and have over five years counseling experience, the annual salary is set at $35,837.44.
The new pay schedule will provide up to $47,001.36 in annual pay for professional counselors who have a master’s degree, professional certification with endorsement, are Praxis compliance and with over 10 years of experience.
