The Woodland Park School District announced pay increases for educators for the current year, ranging from 2% to 3.4%, with an average pay increase of 2.5%.

“Every educator received a minimum increase of 2%, with adjustments based on two key factors which are used to determine the overall teacher effectiveness rating: measures of student learning and professional practices,” WPSD said in a press release. “Additionally, newer teachers received a modest increase as part of the district’s focus on raising our newer teachers’ compensation. As a result, starting teacher pay in Woodland Park now exceeds $43,000.”

The district said that matching the pay increases of the past two years, 8.5% and 5% respectively, is not sustainable within current budget constraints.

“With a three-year total increase of 16%, the district has worked hard to make WPSD teacher pay more competitive,” the district said. “This year’s introduction of performance-based pay increases underscores the district’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding excellent teachers.

“Woodland Park schools are focused on student academic outcomes, and outstanding teaching will be clearly recognized and rewarded.”