The Clark County Board of Education unanimously approved a proposal to increase the minimum classified hourly pay rate to $11.32 per hour Tuesday.

Superintendent Paul Christy said the proposal came about after evaluating the pay rate in comparison to other jobs in the county.

“We get some, but the pay is low, extremely low compared to what they can make in other places,” Christy said. “And when talking instructional assistants, you’re talking about folks who are required to take 48 hours of college instruction or the paraprofessional type things. So there are requirements put on these people that are not even put on some of the others, and they’re lower paid. The reason I’m making my recommendation is to move that … lowest starting pay rate be $11.32. The reason I arrived at the number is that’s what the instructional aides at some of the other buildings are paid.”

The proposal makes $11.32, up from the previous $10.10, the minimum starting rate for any position in Clark County Public Schools, Christy said. The new pay rate increases the district budget by $37,000.

Christy said the change affects about 45 workers in the district.

Board Chair Gordon Parido thanked board member Scott Hisle for recommending adding the item to the agenda and Director of Human Resources Scarlett Ryan and Director of Finance Aleisha Ellis for their work on the issue.

In other action, the board:

— approved the purchase of English and language arts curriculum for grades nine through 12 for George Rogers Clark High School

— reviewed the preliminary fourth-quarter finances for the general fund

— approved change of index for the position of director of food services

— approved the annual contractual agreement with the Clark County Geographic Information Consortium (CCGIS) for mapping and geographic services for $32,000

— approved classified and administrative classified evaluation plans

— approved the 2019-2020 Clark County Public Schools employee and substitute teacher employee handbooks

— approved 2019-20 coaches’ handbook

— approved district code of conduct handbook

— approved grounds equipment for the GRC field house and athletics project (BG 18-334) not to exceed $31,000

— approved 2019-20 student handbooks for GRC, Phoenix Academy, K-8 and Preschool

— approved 2019-20 transportation manual

— approved pay application 19 to Codell Construction, contractors and suppliers for the GRC gymnasium and athletic fields project (BG 16-238) for $1,051,725.64

— approved pay application 5 to Codell Construction, contractors and suppliers for the GRC field house and athletic fields project (BG 18-334) for $707,806.83

— approved pay application 1514-31 to RossTarrant Architects, for the GRC gymnasium and athletic fields project (BG 16-238) for $9,249.31

— approved pay application 1829-10 to RossTarrant Architects, for the GRC field house and athletic fields project (BG 18-334) for $4,481.11

— approved equipping three additional training rooms with all equipment and supplies for the GRC gymnasium and athletic fields project (BG 16-238) not to exceed $40,000.