By Dr. Larry A. Brown

RGSD approves $15 minimum wage, additional raises for 2022-2023 school year

On June 21, the Special Administrative Board approved a salary increase for all Riverview Garden School District (RGSD) employees for the 2022-2023 school year. The salary increase is in addition to the 5% increase approved by the SAB on April 26 for the

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Melissa Nordmann 2022-2023 school year.

Here are the details of the newly approved increases: • $15/hour minimum salary for support staff (revised custodial, food service and clerical salary schedule) • One step movement for teachers (exception - longevity teachers will receive 3%) and all support staff (exceptions: custodial, food service, and clerical) • 3% increase for administrators

In summation, the minimum salary in the district has been raised to $15 per hour. All cistrict employees currently earning less than $15 per hour will see their salaries increase to at least $15 per hour.

Teachers and other support staff will receive a step increase. Administrators will receive a three percent increase.

The new salary rates went into effect on July 1 for 12-month employees. For teachers, nine- and 10-month employees, the salary increase will be reflected in the employees’ first paychecks for the 2022-2023 school year.

RGSD is grateful for the hard work, dedication and commitment our faculty and staff have shown to the scholars and community.

Individuals wishing to join the RGSD team can apply at rgsdmo.org/jobs.

‘FOCUS’ from cover

who through the course of the short, find much needed joy in each other’s company while searching for the last connection to Ethan’s ex. Compton discovered his love of filmmaking after a long period of searching for his niche.

“Like most filmmakers,” Compton said. “I always loved movies as a kid, but never once considered it as a career. I was originally a high school dropout and spent a lot of my 20s just aimlessly partying and working random jobs to get by. But around 25, I got sober, finally got my GED and decided to go to community college. Once I was there, I received some praise from my writing teachers that kind of motivated me to take writing more seriously. Then I took a film appreciation class that kind of opened up my mind like, ‘Oh, yeah. You’ve always loved movies. Now you’re writing. Maybe you should try to write movies.’ So, I did, very badly in the beginning. But that’s how it all started and it just grew from there.”

Compton, who majored in scriptwriting and minored in film and television production at Webster University is one of the event’s master class teachers and believes everything begins with good writing. A story that has a universal element that connects viewers is critical to the artform. He also points to collaboration and allowing contribution from team members, recognizing that filmmaking is often involves synergy.

One may not think of St. Louis a film city but Compton has found a group of film lovers and creators who have built an industry here.

“I love our little film community here in St. Louis,” Compton said. “Admittedly I’m still very new and haven’t met that many folks outside of those I went to film school with, but there are films being made here all the time. All the film people in town are always uploading behind the scenes set photos, or stills of finished projects to Instagram. It’s really cool and definitely exciting to be a part of. We may not be as booming of a film market as some other cities, but we definitely have a lot of talented people here in town making really great films.”

The St. Louis Filmmaker showcase takes place July 15-24. For tickets go to: cinemastlouis.org/st-louis-filmmakers-showcase.

COMMUNITY VOICES: By Dr. Larry A. Brown Caring, a divine characteristic

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Caring, caring for and caring about – though separate and distinct attributes – are each very important in order for us, as human beings, to live a meaningful, productive and satisfying life while we occupy space on the planet.

Often, we exhibit a tendency to take things as they come and react to them accordingly. We have no particular plan, nor have we decided to make each day a rewarding experience in utilizing the gifts, talents, and thoughts that we possess to help move our society forward and the lives we touch, to have a positive experience as a result of being in contact with us. It is extremely important to understand that each of us has a role of importance to play while here on earth.

All of us can appreciate the good feelings associated with accomplishment or positive results, but how many of us really work at making this happen, not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others?

The first thing we might consider doing is “caring for ourselves.” Caring how we look and caring about what we say often is all that is necessary in order to generate a good effect on another person with whom we may come in contact.

Being a good listener is also a quality that can produce a positive result because it tells the other person that we are really concerned about them, how they feel, and what they may be experiencing. We should be concerned about other’s perceptions of us!

When we take action and actually provide care for a person and care to a person, then we may be acting out a feeling we have inside for their well-being, especially if we are not receiving any particular benefit from providing this service. A caregiver is usually hired to provide certain services for one who may be disabled or unable to provide for himself or herself. This is fine also as it usually makes the recipient of the services feel better!

However, when we “care about” someone or some situation, then we are not content until we “do something” to improve the situation. Whatever we do, or cause to be done to improve a negative situation is helpful to us and usually is helpful to the situation, even if it doesn’t totally eliminate the negativity involved.

Often, our showing of concern, stimulates the concern of others and what may have been a problem for one or more, may be eliminated.

In today’s world, we need more people who will take positive action to help the world rid itself of certain evils and problems that many are experiencing. Because of the technology that is available to us, the world’s conditions are becoming known to more and more of us. We cannot avoid or plead ignorance to unfavorable conditions as may have been part of our response (or lack of response) in the past. It is almost sinful for us to turn our heads and ignore bad situations around us.

In the Bible, the story of the good Samaritan, is an excellent example of caring. It reveals that often, those whom we normally expect to care either because of their title, role in the community, or proximity to the issue, may not involve themselves for various reasons, so we need to do what we can.

Often you can help by supporting organizations who are trying to address these issues. Contact us at www.gracechapelministries or email gracechapeldevelopment@gmail.com or call me at 314-409-0965 if you feel like getting involved and doing something. We are a community of people and we must help each other!

Dr. Larry A. Brown is a retired Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Worknet, Inc., which has a national ten year contract with the Social Security Administration to find jobs for people with disabilities who are interested and qualified to enter the traditional workforce. He is also co-founder and president of Grace Chapel Ministries, former president of National Cable Training Centers, and president of Woodstock Industrial Products Group.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.