BG R-I TEACHER PAY RAISES APPROVED FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green R-I School District has approved pay raises for teachers and staff for the upcoming school year as part of its latest board action.

During its April meeting, the Board of Education voted to increase the base salary for teachers to $40,000 for the 2026–27 school year. The move represents an $800 increase over the current base and aligns with new state requirements setting a minimum teacher salary at that level.

Returning teachers will also receive additional increases based on experience and advanced training, while classified staff members will see a 2.04 percent pay raise. The total cost of the salary increases is estimated at approximately $270,000.

In addition to the pay adjustments, the board completed its annual reorganization. Roger Colbert, Holly Delgman, and Tim Gamm were sworn in to new three-year terms after running unopposed. The board then selected Delgman as president and Gamm as vice president, while appointing Tamara Scherder as secretary and Connie Bair as treasurer.

The district also approved the return of a recycling program that had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans to restart it in the next school year.

School officials noted ongoing concerns about state funding, with Superintendent Nick Larson warning that per-student funding could decline in the coming year, potentially shifting more financial responsibility to local sources.