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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us February 1, 2005 Getting what they pay for By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings Salaries for public school teachers in Ashland compete with similar-sized school districts around the state and other districts in Southern Oregon, according to survey figures released by the Oregon School Boards Association last month. Ashland High instructor Paul Huard teaches his first-period American Studies class this morning. Huard, who was hired this summer, came in at the top of the pay scale for first-year teachers because of his level of education. Huard has a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees. Orville Hector | Ashland Daily Tidings "If, by paying a little bit more that the surrounding districts, that means we can hire best teachers, we will," Ashland Schools Superintendent Julie DiChiro said, explaining the district's goal is to be competitive in Jackson County. "The fact that we're slightly ahead has been a concerted effort on our part" Teacher pay in Ashland starts at $31,142 for educators with a bachelor's of arts degree, although DiChiro reported most teachers come in around $32,449 because they have additional education or prior teaching experience. The salary schedule tops out at $59,582 in Ashland. "We're not statistically off the charts," DiChiro said. "We've worked really hard to get our salary schedule where it is." Ashland has the highest pay of any district in Jackson County, according to the OSBA survey. The Medford School District, the district with the second-highest top pay level in the county, offers a salary of $59,089 to teachers with a master's degree. The pay levels in the Ashland School District also rival those at similar-sized districts across the state. Among the districts with 2,500 to 3,500 students, Ashland has the highest starting salary and the fourth-highest top pay. In the survey, 85 percent of districts with 3,000 students or more responded; 76 percent of districts with 1,000 to 2,999 students took part. While the competitive salary schedule in Ashland draws educators to the district, there are other elements that attract teachers to the area. "This district values education and professional development," said Paul Huard, a first-year teacher in the social studies department at Ashland High School. Although Huard came in at the top of the pay scale for first-year teachers because he had a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees, job stability and the district's priorities also influenced his decision to take the job. "It is more than just a paycheck," Huard said. "Yes, the pay and the benefits [are important], but the other qualities that I mentioned make it a very attractive package." The district has done very little hiring in recent years. A few positions were filled at the high school at the beginning of this school year, but no one has been hired at the elementary level in quite a while, according to DiChiro. Still, the district aims to pull in experienced educators like Huard, who has taught at a private school and as an interim college and university professor. "Our philosophy here in Ashland is to have a quality teacher in the classroom," DiChiro said, explaining the district looks for highly trained, caring educators who know the subject matter they're teaching. "I think that's the strength of our school district." Staff writer Jennifer squires can be reached at 488-3456 ext. 3019 or [email protected]. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Women's Slippers men's slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks heloc libor rate Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Memory Foam Mattress college loans alternative student loans Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation trillion cut diamonds Currancy Exchange Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams