Cheney School District budget plays catch-up with salaries

By DAVID TELLER

Staff Reporter

The Cheney School District board of directors approved 5.13 percent cost of living allowance (COLA) for teachers for the next school year.

Cheney School District finance director Brian Aiken said changes in state-funded programs in the last few years have created an offset in COLA funding and the district is playing catch-up, getting the raises to district employees.

Aiken said the legislature funded a COLA of 3.9 percent, and then a .5 percent “catch-up” for all staff.

Examples he cited were Initiatives 728 and 732 that were approved by voters at nearly 70 perce...