The Madison Metropolitan School District is proposing a wage freeze for the next school year — likely one of the most challenging years the district has ever faced financially, the Wisconsin State Journal reports; however, Madison Teachers Inc. (MTI) is asking for a 4.12% pay increase, the maximum allowed. MTI represents roughly 2,700 members, including school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and teachers.
The district will make the first draft of its budget for the 2024–25 school year publicly available in April. In June, the school board will vote on a preliminary version, followed by a final budget in October once enrollment numbers are confirmed.
The district is set to take multiple financial hits next year, with the last of the pandemic relief funding expiring and the end of funding approved by voters in 2020 capital and operating referendums.
The proposed wage freeze at current levels comes after the 8% wage increase MTI and the district agreed to in 2023; the district had initially offered 3.5%. Actual raises varied based on level of education and years of experience.
