The Montgomery County School Board will vote on several pay scale changes and take a look at several vacant jobs when it meets Tuesday.
The board will convene at 6 p.m. for a reception to honor outgoing board member Linwood Hudson. The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the county government center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
Last month, the board reviewed a proposal to boost pay for school HVAC specialists, electricians and plumbers, along with bus drivers and fleet technicians. New meeting documents for Tuesday have added a proposed pay scale change for maintenance technicians.
The goals are to enhance recruitment and retention of employees and align their pay more closely with market standards. The board is expected to act on the recommendations Tuesday.
According to meeting documents, the current salary range for HVAC workers, electricians and plumbers ranges from nearly $39,300 to about $73,000. By comparison, Montgomery County’s pay for similar positions begins at nearly $60,000. The school system has two vacant HVAC positions, one starting in January of this year and another since late 2022.
The proposal is to raise the scales thusly: Skilled workers, about $50,000 to nearly $87,700; workers with a journeyman license, about $52,000 to nearly $91,200; workers with a master license, from $53,000 to more than $92,900.
The current salary range for carpenters (maintenance technicians) ranges from nearly $33,300 to nearly $62,200.
The proposed changes are: Unlicensed maintenance technician, $43,200 to nearly $75,800; contractor C license, $44,200 to more than $77,500; contractor B license, $46,200 to more than $81,000; contractor A license, $47,200 to nearly $82,800.
If adopted, the plan is expected to cost another $140,000 in the current school year and an additional $280,000 annually.
The current hourly pay range for bus drivers is from $23.74 to $37.38. By comparison, starting pay is more than $26 in Roanoke County schools and nearly $27 in Radford schools.
The proposed new hourly range is $25 to $43.84.
If adopted, those changes are expected to cost $200,000 more for the current school year and $400,000 more annually.
The proposed changes would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The board will also review a list of more than 37 vacant positions. Candidates are being reviewed for some jobs, while applications for the other jobs are being accepted, according to meeting documents.
The vacancies include 28 classified positions, four certified special education positions, three certified secondary positions and 2.5 certified elementary positions.
The vacant classified positions include one elementary special education paraprofessional, two secondary special education paraprofessionals, one early literacy paraprofessional, one instructional paraprofessional, six lunch/recess aides, one payroll benefits specialist, one school testing coordinator assistant, four secondary custodians, one grounds worker, two HVAC technicians, one school nurse, one floating nurse, five bus drivers and one bus aide.
Other notable agenda items include:
- Approving the recommended 2025-26 membership of the Career & Technical Advisory Committee. The list includes James Cabler, Stephanie Bell and Shannon Beck, representing business and industry; Steve Martin, representing a labor organization; Paige Walters, representing agencies that serve out-of-school, homeless and/or at-risk youth; Jenny Bolte, representing the local Workforce Investment Council; Kelsey Grow, a community representative; Jess Muniz, representing special populations; Lori Lavery, community college representative; Samantha-Ann McPhereson, a teacher; Ashley Carter, a parent; and Saymone Wright, a student.
- Voting to make one change to the school division’s collective bargaining agreement with the county Education Association. The current agreement is set to expire Dec. 31. The proposal is to extend it to June 30, 2026.
You can find meeting documents here.