By Rita Price

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday November 1, 2012 6:00 AM

The Franklin County Children Services board gave its executive director a 3 percent pay raise yesterday and adopted a merit-pay policy to guide increases for the agencys other nonunion employees.

Starting in 2014, raises for those 250 staff members are to be tied for the first time to both personal and agency performance. About 500 other Children Services employees, including caseworkers, are among staff members covered by collective bargaining.

Its all about outcomes for kids, Executive Director Chip Spinning said. If were doing well as an agency, then kids are doing well. This will help us all row in the same direction.

For 2013, non-bargaining staff members, who include managers and administrators, are to receive a 1 percent pay raise in February. For 2014, employees would receive the 1 percent raise if they dont have any disciplinary action, complete required training and are timely with annual performance evaluations.

Additional increases from0.25 to 1 percent are to be based on how well the agency is faring on seven goals the federal government outlines for child-welfare agencies.

Some trustees, however, said they think the initial setup will keep raises too low. The federal standards are tough to meet.I dont agree with 1 percent, Trustee Shadya Yazback said.

Officials said the plan for the next two years is a start and that ranges can be reviewed and changed later.

It takes that unknown out for next year, Trustee Charles Perotti said. I think that the intent is absolutely wonderful, and we can tweak it as we see fit.

The rest is here:
Children Services’ chief gets a raise