Ozarks Tech approves 3% pay increase for employees to stay competitive
The May 14 vote by the Board of Trustees will apply to anyone employed in their respective positions on or before March 31 of this year.
"It's really heartening to be able to do this in light of some other institutions that are not giving raises this year or are very, very small," Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the meeting. "We've really tried to stay competitive in our local market."
Higdon said Ozarks Tech must compete against Springfield Public Schools and Missouri State University, especially to fill staff positions.
"This will allow us to either keep up with one or pass the other," he said.
The Springfield-based institution streamlined its salary schedule this year and set aside funds to make targeted market adjustment for key positions, Higdon said.
More: Ozarks Tech taps graduate, health sciences dean as its next provost
According to the college, salary increases for individuals in externally funded positions — including roles paid for with grants — will be contingent on available funding and approval by the funding entity.
The pay increase starts July 1.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Tech increasing pay for employees to stay competitive
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
2 hours ago
- Time Business News
Tootle Works Publishes Honest Guide on Small Business Marketing Costs
Kent, UK – Kent-based marketing agency Tootle Works has unveiled a comprehensive and transparent new guide answering one of the most frequent questions from small business owners: ' How much does small business marketing cost ?' For many local entrepreneurs, understanding marketing costs can feel like navigating a maze. Prices vary dramatically from one agency to another, quotes are often missing key details, and some providers avoid discussing figures altogether until contracts are signed. This lack of clarity can make it hard for business owners to plan realistic budgets and invest with confidence. The newly published guide from Tootle Works addresses this issue head-on. Drawing on years of experience helping small businesses across Kent and beyond, the article breaks down the real factors that influence costs and offers clear, practical advice on how to get the best return from every marketing pound spent. A Clear Look at Marketing Costs The guide covers the most common marketing channels used by small businesses today including SEO Marketing Services , Google Ads, Facebook advertising, web design, and social media management, providing typical cost ranges for each. It explains why two businesses paying for the 'same' service might be charged different rates, depending on factors such as competition in their industry, target audience size, and the level of expertise required. By laying out these details, Tootle Works aims to remove the mystery and help business owners make informed, strategic decisions. Matthew, CEO of Tootle Works, explains: 'One of the biggest frustrations we hear from small business owners is not knowing if they're paying a fair price. Marketing should never feel like guesswork. Our guide is designed to cut through jargon, show the real numbers, and give practical steps for planning a budget that works without any hidden surprises.' Key Takeaways from the Guide The article is designed to be both informative and easy to digest, giving readers a clear action plan as well as industry insight. Highlights include: The real factors that impact small business marketing costs such as business goals, target audience size, level of competition, and chosen platforms. such as business goals, target audience size, level of competition, and chosen platforms. Average monthly budgets for different marketing channels — including realistic figures for SEO, paid ads, social media management, and website development. — including realistic figures for SEO, paid ads, social media management, and website development. How to combine quick wins with long-term strategies — for example, using Google Ads to generate immediate leads while building a sustainable foundation through SEO. — for example, using Google Ads to generate immediate leads while building a sustainable foundation through SEO. The importance of flexibility and transparency in marketing partnerships — ensuring that budgets can be adapted as the business grows and market conditions change. Flexible, No-Contract Marketing Alongside the cost breakdown, the guide also spotlights Tootle Works' distinctive pay-as-you-go marketing model. Unlike traditional agencies that require long-term contracts, Tootle Works allows clients to adapt their strategies month by month. This flexibility means small business owners can adjust their spending in response to seasonal changes, test new channels without committing large sums, and feel confident that their marketing partner is focused on results rather than retaining a contract. Matthew adds: 'We know that cash flow is a constant consideration for small businesses. By offering no-contract services, we remove unnecessary pressure and give our clients the freedom to invest where and when it makes the most sense for them.' Supporting Small Business Growth in Kent While the guide is relevant to small business owners everywhere, it draws particular insight from the Kent market, where Tootle Works has supported companies across industries including retail, hospitality, construction, and professional services. The agency's hands-on experience means it can advise on the unique challenges local businesses face from attracting footfall in smaller towns to competing with London-based companies for online visibility. By combining this local understanding with industry best practice, Tootle Works helps clients strike the right balance between budget-friendly tactics and high-impact campaigns. An Invitation to Learn and Plan Confidently The full article, 'How Much Does Small Business Marketing Cost?' , is now available to read on the Tootle Works website. Packed with examples, budget guidance, and straightforward explanations, it aims to empower small business owners to take control of their marketing spend and invest in the areas that will deliver the most value. Read the full guide here: 'How Much Does Small Business Marketing Cost?' About Tootle Works Tootle Works is a Kent-based marketing agency specialising in SEO, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, web design, and social media management. Known for its no-contract, pay-as-you-go approach, the agency helps small businesses grow sustainably while maintaining full control over their marketing spend. With a focus on transparency, flexibility, and measurable results, Tootle Works has built a strong reputation among entrepreneurs who want effective marketing without unnecessary commitments. Media Contact: �� Hello@ �� 01634 562075 �� TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Sierra Club in turmoil after board fires executive director
The Sierra Club, one of the nation's oldest and most prominent nonprofit environmental groups, was thrown into upheaval this week after its executive director was fired. In an email to staff Monday, Sierra Club President Patrick Murphy said the board of directors had voted unanimously to terminate Ben Jealous after conducting 'an extensive evaluation of his conduct.' Jealous' tenure had been tumultuous. He clashed with staff over sweeping layoffs and faced sharp criticism from ousted high-level employees, volunteers and some notable environmental advocates. They said the Oakland-based organization had stifled differing opinions and had become weakened as the Trump administration rolled back environmental protections. The group's board had placed Jealous on leave in July. Murphy said in the Monday email that the board's decision was 'a difficult but principled one' to 'ensure every individual at the Sierra Club is held equally accountable, with no special treatment or favor for those holding influence and power.' The Sierra Club declined to give specific details on why Jealous, who ran the organization out of Washington, D.C., was fired. Jonathon Berman, a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, said that Jealous had 'engaged in conduct that constitutes cause under his employment agreement.' Berman clarified that the decision had 'nothing whatsoever to do with layoffs' or controversial hiring moves by Jealous. In a statement to The Times, Jealous defended his record, saying he strengthened the organization's finances and achieved a 'progressive union contract.' He said that he would contest the move to fire him, and that he 'remained proud' of what he had accomplished at the Sierra Club. 'It is disheartening, unfortunate, but perhaps not surprising that the board has chosen an adversarial course that the facts so clearly cannot support,' he said in a statement. 'I have begun the process under my contract to fight this decision. I am confident that we will prevail.' Sierra Club had been in the process of negotiating the terms of Jealous' exit, but talks had broken down, leading to the vote to fire the executive, according to a source with information on the board's discussions who was not authorized to comment. Jealous took over the organization in 2023, after it went through a wrenching internal reckoning over the racist views of its founder, John Muir, more than a century ago and allegations of sexual abuse by a former senior employee. Staff members have said they were initially excited about the hiring of Jealous, who voiced support for the union at the beginning of his tenure. But the relationship began to sour when he announced deep cuts to staff and several organizational overhauls, citing a budget deficit. The union publicly accused Jealous of hiring friends for costly management posts and spending lavishly on executive salaries. Laid-off workers said efforts toward environmental justice for communities of color had been unraveled, with community organizations in California's Inland Empire and other areas facing major congestion and pollution feeling betrayed and abandoned. Last June, unionized workers who were poised to strike sent a letter to the Sierra Club's board of directors informing them they had issued a vote of no confidence in the leadership. The Sierra Club had previously defended hiring moves by Jealous, saying it had 'moved quickly to fill those key roles with seasoned leaders.' Jealous told The Times in an interview last year that deep cuts were necessary and that he had been transparent throughout the process. 'These are the hard decisions that you have to make when you lead a more than century-old institution and you're committed to it having a future as long as its past,' Jealous said then. The organization also faced internal scrutiny over the hiring of a senior manager who was registered as a lobbyist for the cryptocurrency firm at the same time he worked at the Sierra Club, which has been politically critical of the polluting effects of the crypto industry and supports tighter regulations. 'The environmental impacts of cryptocurrency mining are well known,' said Dylan Plummer, an elected representative for the Sierra Club's union, which is affiliated with the broader Progressive Workers Union. 'To have hired an active lobbyist for at the highest ranks of our organization is so inappropriate it boggles my mind.' Sierra Club did not respond to a question about the hiring of the lobbyist. Erica Dodt, president of the broader Progressive Workers Union, said in a statement that she hopes Jealous' departure 'will open the door for a stronger relationship between workers and management, and allow the Sierra Club to better focus our efforts on fighting the Trump administration and protecting the environment.' Jealous, who was formerly the chief executive of the NAACP and a 2018 Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland, is Black and was the first person of color to serve at the helm of the organization. Some of his supporters have suggested racism played a role in his firing, which Sierra Club staff members have disputed. 'There are serious racial implications in firing a Black man of Ben's caliber, in this fashion, at a time when diversity is under attack,' civil rights leader Al Sharpton said in a statement to Politico. Some of the turmoil roiling the national organization is mirrored in its California advocacy arm. The state plays an outsize role in the club, home to its headquarters and roughly 134,000 members. Sierra Club California, which is one of the most influential environmental voices in Sacramento, has in recent years seen plummeting membership, dropping by roughly 19% between 2019 and 2024, and revolving leadership — with the group cycling through four leaders in a four-year period. Jason Mark, who served as editor-in-chief of the organization's 'Sierra' magazine for about nine years until December, when he was removed from his leadership post, welcomed Jealous' termination. 'It was sad and demoralizing to watch the Sierra Club under Ben's leadership,' Mark said in an interview. 'Still, I'm convinced the Sierra Club is a vital force of nature and truly an irreplaceable pillar in the American environmental movement.'
Business Upturn
7 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Proper Ecom Opens Done-For-You Amazon Business Program
Hallandale Beach, FL, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Proper Ecom, a US-based e-commerce operations firm, has rolled out a new program designed for individuals who want to own an e-commerce brand without managing the day-to-day work. The Done-For-You Amazon Business Program is built for those with $85,000 or more to invest. Proper Ecom's team handles everything – from product research to fulfillment – so clients can focus on ownership, not operations. 'We spent years learning how to build great Amazon stores,' said Ohr Fluxman, Founder of Proper Ecom. 'Now, we help individuals own stores that are set up the right way and built to grow. You own the store. Our team does the work.' Clients keep full ownership of their Amazon stores, but they don't need to figure out how to run them. Proper Ecom takes care of everything needed to grow the business and keep it working well. Two Strategic Business Models: Private Label or Wholesale Exclusive Brand Deals The first way is Private Label. This model is to help clients build their own brand. Proper Ecom helps them create products, design packaging, and sell them on Amazon and TikTok Shop. The team also helps with ads and uses Amazon FBA to store and ship products. The second way is Wholesale Exclusive Brand Deals. This model is to help clients sell well-known name-brand products. Proper Ecom sets up special agreements so only the client can sell those items. The team sets up the store, lists the products, and handles everything. In this model, net profits are shared, which is driven by performance. The Proper Ecom Hybrid Approach Proper Ecom takes a hybrid approach. This approach combines these two proven models, giving investors flexibility based on goals and risk level. This differentiates Proper Ecom from its competitors. Most companies focus on one model. Proper Ecom is innovative and uses both models. All this comes with a dashboard that shows how the store and brand are doing. Clients also get regular calls with Proper Ecom to talk about next steps. Key Features and Benefits of the Program: Full Ownership with Transparent Reporting: Clients own the store and get paid every two weeks. They can see sales and profits in real time. Turnkey Business Setup: Proper Ecom sets up the account, finds products, creates listings, and finds suppliers. Access to High-Demand Products: Clients can sell established brand products that people already know and trust while they build their own brand. Fully Managed Operations: Proper Ecom handles ads, shipping, customer questions, and day-to-day work. Built to Grow: The store can add more products and grow over time. The team helps with testing and planning. Built for Long-Term Value and Scalable Exit Each store is made to be its own business. It has a name, a history, and the right setup to grow and even be sold one day. More than an online shop, it's a business built for sustainability and scalability. Proper Ecom helps grow the store by finding new products, getting more deals, and making smart choices based on data. Some clients keep growing their store. Others sell it later. The clients hold all the power to do what is best for them and their family. With a strong team and clear plan, clients get more than a storefront or website, they get a real business that can grow. Program Availability Proper Ecom is now welcoming new clients. Spots are limited to make sure each store gets full attention. Individuals can book a call to learn more and see if the program is a good fit. Learn more at About Proper Ecom Proper Ecom is a company that builds and manages Amazon stores for clients. Since 2018, the team has created successful stores using smart systems for finding products, customer service, shipping items, and growing sales. With two clear models combined into a hybrid approach, private label and wholesale exclusive brand deals, Proper Ecom helps clients own strong online businesses that last. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial or investment advice. All investments carry risk. Proper Ecom does not promise any specific results. Outcomes depend on the market and how each store performs. Media Contact Company Name: Proper EcomContact Person: Aaron AndersonContact Number: (855) 952-5707 Email: [email protected] Country: United StatesWebsite: Socials: @properecominvestments
