Members of the Austin Public Schools administrative staff have collectively volunteered to forego salary increases for the 2009-2010 year.

The move was unanimously approved by the school board Monday night.

“They said they would like to step forward in light of the financial crisis and uncertainty on the state and national level,” said superintendent Dr. Bruce Anderson. “To their credit, they felt they needed to step forward and set an example.”

Anderson said increases vary depending on the staff member, but added the raises are generally either two or three percent.

The administrative staff members who have agreed to forego increases include John Alberts, director of curriculum; Amy Baskin, director of community education/PR; Tim Hermann, activities director; Christina Picha, director of human resources; Danielle Theis, director of special services; Lori Volz, director of finance and operations; Mary Weikum, director of food and nutrition services; Mat Miller, director of facility services; and Corey Haugen, data/assessment/instructional technology coordinator.

Several school board members applauded the move.

“I would like to personally thank them,” board member Kathy Green said.

“The administrators got together themselves and set an example,” board member David Simonson added.