Olympia School District increases non-represented staff wages

Hourly wages for 36 non-represented employees with the Olympia School District are going up for the 2026-27 academic year.

The salary schedule change applies to various professional, technical and support positions throughout the district for staff not under a collective bargaining agreement. The total cost weighed in at approximately $78,925.

Executive Director of Human Resources Scott Niemann said at an Aug. 27 board meeting that the 2026-27 salary schedule will increase by 2.6%, which is consistent with the state-funded Implicit Price Deflator (an economic measure). 

“Similar to the adjustment approved for several of our employee groups this last year, this is largely a pass-through of inflationary funding from the state. However, because the state doesn't fund all district staff, the remaining cost is supplemented with our local levy dollars,” said Niemann at the meeting. 

He said the adjustment is budgeted and is not part of the reduced education plan. Indirect, non-state funded positions are paid through categorical funds, which are funds used for a single purpose. 

The change also involves an increase in mandatory employer benefit costs, such as retirement, Social Security, Medicare, workers' compensation and other statutory benefits. 

Board member Maria Flores suggested the district publicize the group of state funded positions and those that are not, so the public can understand and advocate for the lack of full funding for the district. 

“These staff members are important to us, and we have chosen to have them and to support them even though the state consistently does not provide funding for all the needs that we have,” Flores said. 

The 2026-27 salary schedules for Non-Represented Classified Exempt, Non-Represented Classified Hourly, and Athletic Director Employees will be effective Sept. 1.