These
tables compare the mean and median annual wage for K-12 non-teaching staff to
private sector and state government that have employment in the same occupations
for 2008 to 2010.
The May 2010 Occupation Employment and Wage table was
presented by Dr. Christiana Stoddard in the Joint Education Committee meeting
held on October 18, 2011. The meeting summary is below along with the minutes
from Dr. Christiana Stoddard’s presentation.
The complete minutes from the meeting can be viewed
at: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/interimCommittee/2011/04MIN1018.pdf
Dr.
Stoddard’s presentation can be viewed at: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/interim%20studies/nonteaching%20indicators%2010_12_2011.pdf
The
Joint Education Committee met to receive information related to the education
resource block grant model, including a system for monitoring the cost pressures
associated with the model. In addition, the Joint Education Committee met to
receive information and take action related to the application of an external
cost adjustment and a regional cost adjustment to the block grant model. The
Committee also received reports from the Department of Audit related to audits
conducted of funds received by Wyoming school districts. The University of
Wyoming and the Wyoming Community College Commission also presented information
on college readiness, retention, and remediation to the Committee. Lastly,
Superintendent Cindy Hill and the Department of Education spoke to the Committee
about the 2010-2011 Resource Allocation Study Update and the implementation of
the 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio imposed by statute.
Legislative
Service Office (LSO) staff addressed the Committee regarding the monitoring
process of the education block grant model in reference to the cost of the model
between model recalibrations. LSO explained its recommendation as outlined in Appendix
5 and the overall process for monitoring the cost basis of the model over
time. The Committee then moved on to discussion of the cost pressure indicators
for non-teaching staff and the role that this monitoring plays in the overall
monitoring of the block grant model and wages in the state of Wyoming. This
information was presented by Dr. Christiana Stoddard. Dr. Stoddard concluded
that there is little pressure on the teacher labor in Wyoming as demonstrated by
the various indicators she reviewed. She indicated that there is little
difficulty in recruiting and retaining teachers and educational personnel in
Wyoming. Dr. Stoddard addressed the exit rates associated with teachers and
other educational personnel in Wyoming. Generally speaking, the exit rates have
remained relatively constant and stable, with the exception of the professional
staff personnel, which have experienced some fluctuation and are increasing. She
suggested continued monitoring of this category specifically. In her
conclusions, Dr. Stoddard indicated that average annual wages for K-12 employees
exceed those for state or private employees for most administrators,
professional staff, classified staff and related aide positions. In addition,
she indicated that the average annual wages for K-12 employees are lower than
the private sector for chief executives, registered nurses and computer
technicians positions. Co-chairman Coe inquired about the benefits implications
in this discussion. Dr. Stoddard indicated that this information is likely
available from the work of the Hayes Group, but stated it was not a task she was
requested to perform. The Committee thanked Dr. Stoddard for her presentation
and moved on to discussions of the external cost adjustment.