Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS) and the Rio Rancho School Employees Union (RRSEU) have announced the approval of the 2023-2024 Negotiated Agreement. The agreement, which was ratified during the June 5 RRPS Board of Education Meeting, was a collaborative effort between the district and the employees union and boasts a 98.8% approval rating among members of the union. Notable portions of the agreement are as follows:
NEW LEAVE BUYBACK PROGRAM
- RRPS employees who use three (3) or fewer sick days during a full contract year will be permitted to request payment for three (3) days of sick leave (if available) at the rate of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per sick day and two (2) personal days (if available) at the rate of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per personal day.
- RRPS employees who use four (4) to six (6) sick days during a full contract year will be permitted to request payment for two (2) days of sick leave (if available) at the rate of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per sick day and two (2) personal days (if available) at the rate of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per personal day.
COMPREHENSIVE SALARY PACKAGE
- Educational Assistants shall be compensated as follows for the 2023-2024 school year:
- Tier 1 Educational Assistants - GE and Kindergarten Educational Assistants shall be compensated at $25,000 annually.
- Tier 2 Educational Assistants - Those performing acute care duties with students in the classroom, shall be compensated at $27,500 annually.
- Tier 3 Educational Assistants - Those working in either a social communications classroom or a District approved behavioral program shall be compensated at $30,000 annually. Tier 3 Educational Assistants will be required to attend ongoing professional development and will be compensated for that additional after hours training at their hourly rate.
- Secretarial/Clerical staff, to include all secretaries, registrars, attendance clerks, receptionists, data specialists and bookroom clerks, shall be compensated as follows for the 2023-2024:
- 195 day calendar employees shall be compensated at $29,328.00 annually
- 213 day calendar employees shall be compensated at $32,035.00 annually
- 218 day calendar employees shall be compensated at $32,787.00 annually
- 223 day calendar employees shall be compensated at $33,539.00 annually
- 240 day calendar employees shall be compensated at $36,096.00 annually
- Custodial Staff, Maintenance Staff, Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants shall receive a 10% raise above their current annual base salary for the 2023-2024 school year.
- All Licensed Instructional and Professional Staff currently on a Level 1, 2 or 3 Licensed Instructional and Professional Staff salary schedule shall receive a 6% raise above their current annual base salary for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Security Aides, COTAs, ASLs and AA Nurses shall receive a 6% raise above their current annual base salary.
“This agreement not only shows incredible faith in our hardworking and dedicated staff, but also unity among staff and leadership within the district,” said RRSEU President Billie Helean. “Our mission in the Rio Rancho School Employees Union is to support our staff to the best of our abilities, and by so doing to support our students. This agreement helps to ensure the success of that mission.”
“Having a contract in place this early sets a very positive tone for the start of the upcoming new school year,” said RRPS Superintendent Dr. V. Sue Cleveland. “There was a very cognizant effort to make sure that these changes were equitable and fair for everyone involved. Everybody in the district plays a pivotal role in the success of our students, and this contract sets the stage for a successful school year.”
RRPS will be hosting several job fairs this summer to highlight the salary changes and to give applicants a chance to come in person, meet with district administration, ask questions and apply on the spot. The dates for this summer’s remaining job fairs are as follows:
Wednesday, June 21 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday, July 5 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday, July 17 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM