SJSD leaders prepare changes to Career Ladder program

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- St. Joseph School District leaders are preparing to make changes to the district’s career ladder structure.

District leadership will explain a proposal to eliminate one stage — and the maximum stipend tied to it — in the Career Ladder pay structure to the Board of Education during a work session Tuesday night.

The proposed changes include moving the career ladder to two levels instead of three and lowering the maximum annual stipend from $5,000 to $3,000.

According to the plan posted on the district’s website, the first stage would require two or more years in Missouri public schools and at least 50 hours to reach the maximum annual stipend of $1,500.

For the second stage, an employee would need three or more years of experience in Missouri public schools and at least 75 hours to reach the maximum annual stipend of $3,000.

District data show the May 2025 annual career ladder report had 409 staff members participating in the program, with 287 of them in Stage 3.

In Stage 1, a total of $102,000 was paid to 68 staff members, with each participant earning $1,500. In Stage 2, 54 staff members each earned $3,000, totaling $162,000. In Stage 3, 288 staff members reached the maximum $5,000 stipend, for a total of $1.44 million.

According to the district’s report, $1,022,400 of that amount was covered by state grant funds, while $681,600 was locally funded.

Career ladder hours can include teacher or staff externships, serving as a coach, supervisor or organizer, or acting as a mentor for new teachers or students.

The proposed changes come as the state plans to cut approximately $20 million from the Career Ladder program.