OPS announces 4% pay raises
Owensboro Public Schools has included a 4% raise for employees in its 2024-25 budget.
The OPS board approved the increase during its meeting Thursday at its Central Office.
“We’re very thrilled to be able to do that,” said Dr. Jeremy Luckett, board chairman. “The legislature voted to increase funding with the hope school districts would do that. We’re proving that we’re putting our money where our mouth is, and that we really value the teachers and staff of the district by trying to support the largest raise we’ve given since I’ve been on the board, and it’s my sixth year on the board.”
OPS recognized 23 employees who are retiring at the end of the school year. The board also presented several staff awards, including the Staff Pillar of Support award to interim Superintendent Anita Burnette.
“I was afraid that was going to happen,” joked Burnette about the attention she received during her final board meeting. “I don’t really like being the center of attention, but it was very nice, and I was very appreciative.”
Luckett credited Burnette for leading the district out of one of its darkest moments, referring to her replacing superintendent Matthew Constant, who was terminated following the 2023-24 school year following a police investigation that led to charges.
“I really think we couldn’t have found a better person to step into this role because she’s so well known and well loved within the district,” Luckett said. “She essentially had to step into unprecedented circumstances and keep everyone calm in the district, but also keep the district moving forward.
“I can’t thank her enough, and we can’t say more flowery words than we did in the evaluation about how great a job she did.”
OPS released its superintendent evaluation during the meeting, and Burnette received high marks and glowing comments in each facet, which included strategic leadership, instructional leadership, cultural leadership, human resource leadership, managerial leadership, collaborative leadership and influential leadership.
The evaluation’s overall comments said, in part, that “Ms. Burnette is a rockstar. The OPS Board is eternally grateful that she put her life on hold for a year to come back and serve the district. She did not just serve as a figurehead either, she worked hard to advance the district.”
Burnette said the year “was pretty much what I expected. I thought we had a really good year.”
Luckett seconded Burnette’s assessment.
“I think we’ve had a very successful year,” he said. “I think we really didn’t miss a beat. I think she kept us moving forward and striving for the strategic plan goals that we have set.”
Dr. Wendy Duvall will assume the interim superintendent role next week through June 30, with her official start date set for July 1.
Owensboro High School will hold its commencement at 7 p.m. today, May 24, at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
