Kalispell school trustees approve pay raises, contract renewals for nonunion school staff
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks, 5 days AGO
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | July 7, 2026 12:00 AM
The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees has approved pay raises and contract renewals for nonunion district employees, from the superintendent to bus drivers.
Salaried nonunion staff will receive a $5.61 daily rate increase for the 2026-27 school year, in addition to moving a step on the salary matrix for years of service.
District Human Resources Director Carie Brady said the daily increase was based on the $1,050 flat increase certified staff received in their contract.
Brady said the district divided the $1,050 increase by 187 days, the length of a certified contract, to arrive at the $5.61 daily rate. That amount was then multiplied by each salaried employee’s contract days, which could be 260, 223 or another number depending on the position, she said during the June 23 virtual board meeting.
Hourly nonunion employees will receive a 3.5% cost-of-living increase, along with moving a step on the salary matrix. Brady said the increase mirrors what classified union employees received.
Trustees approved renewing district Superintendent Matt Jensen’s contract, which has a base salary of $192,604, through June 30, 2029. Jensen’s contract will be modified to include the daily rate increase.
The board also renewed contracts for nine other central office administrators and 17 school principals and assistant principals, some of whom also serve as activities directors, through the 2026-27 school year.
Trustees also renewed contracts for 39 districtwide employees, including administrative assistants, managers, supervisors, specialists, technicians and coordinators as well as 16 bus drivers.
Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.
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Kalispell school trustees approve pay raises, contract renewals for nonunion school staff
The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees has approved pay raises and contract renewals for nonunion district employees, from the superintendent to bus drivers.