Originally Posted: June 6, 2023
In an effort to recruit and retain school psychologists, the Board of Education voted Monday, June 5 to a salary enhancement for the 2023-2024 school year of $10,000 for existing and new school psychologists. The enhancement represents an increase of $7,734 from the $2,266 salary enhancement school psychologists received in 2022-2023. It will be paid out over the employee’s monthly contract.
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The increase is for the 2023-2024 year and represents a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Edmond Public Schools and the Edmond Association of Classroom Teachers (EACT). This MOU will be added to the list of discussion items during collective bargaining negotiations later this summer.
Currently, Edmond has nine unfilled school psychologist positions for the 2023-2024 school year. This represents a 32% shortage. When the district is unable to fill these positions, it has to contract out for services at a much higher rate. In 22-23, over $150,000 was contracted out for these services. With the current shortage, contracted services in 2023-2024 were projected to be even higher.
“A factor affecting the recruitment of school psychologists is that, unlike the teacher shortage, districts are unable to fill vacancies through emergency certification or other alternative methods. As the pool of psychologists is shallow, districts have to compete for a limited number of applicants,” Associate Superintendent Randy Decker said. “We are hopeful this salary enhancement will entice talented individuals to apply for our open positions.”
*note: EPS Psychologists are on the Special Education Salary Schedule + 10 days for a total of 191 days.