[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071444,"mediaKeyId","3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906","parentId",3043052,"title","Teachers, hourly staff urge board to restore annualized pay; board hears comments but takes no immediate vote","audioSeconds",5018,"startMs",1020000,"endMs",6038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906&start=1020&end=6038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906/thumbnail_1020000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071444/Missouri/Teachers-hourly-staff-urge-board-to-restore-annualized-pay-board-hears-comments-but-takes-no-immediate-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071444-afc6d2f8ea8485a05d8a1fa71acc776c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944769&Signature=iQlzil9SV6pWKz3s-b3kdkepI5BRkZZ3x~SQknenZ6ZUMXeq4Z-ors7GaB00C9KTxqYMjY2uQiRClymphbtPlbI0K-58ePLVZwn6T83-~fFcLjxi6m~LMmkkQd-ixcb28grD5vEtelQPq~bkOshUccTsOXR0RDPea7S5Yk~eRslulC6GYI~B4LCcKCSmqo0E2DDwzShZ7EMZNWInrLAtWFTohy9FWcXek3N1ZrvcnFsCxEd~WSOgxPfo3F9-M6b2rVXDf7buIUR2~2piNFZ-JXO9aixEkaiyubaThM3dxkbp9HTlNQACs4cGb8ZvhTVw-yLuWuCkIdP95BSa2pLHCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Springfield Public Schools","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Dozens of Springfield Public Schools employees pressed the Board of Education on Feb. 25 to restore annualized pay for hourly and nine‑month staff, arguing the change would stabilize household budgets, preserve access to benefits such as Medicaid and help the district recruit and retain staff. The board heard four public commenters and several staff and board members debated options but did not vote to reinstate annualized pay that night.

Supporters said the removal of annualized pay two years ago has had material effects on employees. Jennifer Counts, who identified herself as an SPS behavioral special‑education employee, told the board she and co‑workers now face “instability” and difficulty budgeting because paychecks vary widely month to month. Counts said the district previously paid hourly staff on an annualized schedule and urged the board to restore it as an option for employees.

Laura Mullins, president of Springfield NEA, said she reviewed the auditor and federal guidance cited by the district and found no legal barrier that would categorically prohibit annualized pay. “The auditor’s office…determined there were no concerns,” Mullins said, and she reported that the U.S. Department of Labor regional office told her annualized pay “is a common practice across districts in the United States.” Mullins told the board employees want the option returned and noted the practice remains in place for most SPS employees, including educators and administrators.

Other commenters described concrete consequences. Madison Henry, who said she organized a petition signed by more than 1,000 supporters, told the board the current arrangement typically provides only one month of summer‑school pay and leaves many employees without guaranteed work until mid‑August. Jennifer Kaufman, a Pershing K‑8 teacher and parent, described how pay distribution affects families’ Medicaid eligibility and said her family once faced a monthly “spend down” of more than $4,000 that made care unaffordable. “Being paid over 9 months rather than 12 isn’t just an economic inconvenience,” Kaufman said. “Medicaid isn’t just another benefit. It’s a lifeline.”

Board members asked questions about the range of harms and possible fixes. Board member Mikoski said she would support restoring annualized pay as an option and called for a collaborative approach between administration and staff. Another board member urged administration to continue to study whether annualized pay could be offered as an opt‑in benefit, with safeguards for the payroll system and for employees who start midyear. Several board members urged administration to provide more precise data on how many employees would opt in and on the operational and audit implications.

Superintendent Dr. Lathan told the board the payroll change is not a simple “flip a switch” and explained that the district relies on legal and audit advice when changing payroll systems. She also said the district attempted to show support in other ways during recent inclement weather: the district paid hourly and operational staff for snow days so those employees would not lose income because the district could not make up instructional time. “We will continue to be what we have implemented over the past two years,” Dr. Lathan said, describing the current practice as the district’s operational position while administration continues to explore options.

No motion to modify payroll policy was on the agenda, and the board did not take a vote to reinstate annualized pay at the meeting. Several members repeatedly asked administration to continue studying whether an opt‑in or phased approach (for example, making annualized pay available after an employee’s first year) could reduce the operational risks they cited.

Why it matters: The change affects roughly 1,100 hourly employees who were removed from annualized pay two years ago, according to speakers, and has implications for household budgeting, benefit eligibility and staff retention. Board members said they want to balance legal/audit advice and operational feasibility with staff morale and recruitment.

What’s next: Board members asked administration and labor representatives to continue discussions; two board members specifically asked for more data on how many employees would opt in, the payroll implementation steps and the potential effect on benefit eligibility. The board gave no deadline for a return report.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - Feb. 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of Springfield Public Schools employees pressed the Board of Education on Feb. 25 to restore annualized pay for hourly and nine‑month staff, arguing the change would stabilize household budgets, preserve access to benefits such as Medicaid and help the district recruit and retain staff.","taxTitle","Springfield R-XII, School Districts, Missouri","taxId",13569,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071430,"Votes at a glance: Feb. 25 Springfield R‑XII Board meeting — routine approvals pass unanimously",5408,868000,6276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906&start=868&end=6276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906/thumbnail_868000.jpg","/articles/6071430/Missouri/Votes-at-a-glance-Feb-25-Springfield-RXII-Board-meeting-routine-approvals-pass-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071430-5cd5eeb2db4e88c32874c6117130fde7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944769&Signature=avQbpoEt2G5k4TLriJen9qDjGE3zu094Mt6xKLea2YGw5IlV~rpb-RKcBCLg9X9cOCeGXh78B-wWTLNJN7qrs0K4j49M7QDmHsLNRpnAqTc6DY0oDW-dAxUKtBGEZYQFF2SjeBUc~z8FvkK28VsqSOKNX2dof3yTZHm3xfMvDH28rawxye7obY-8ES25FCodf6ITmYRH58pbCOi6MKEkVEX~Htiz3EIkUFInpwR4AeGC5z4BX1iKV5rk9TyEi0G8sXKUpK5SLgrJ3OhrfW9q6X12p2UjOJj2uoGHPK4n~mdN~2HIGjMClASUkduB~8caxeCAO9uSb7TFK8~fFiAGmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 25 meeting the Springfield R‑XII Board of Education recorded the following formal actions. All motions recorded in the meeting minutes passed by a unanimous voice vote (7‑0) unless noted otherwise.

1) Approval of the agenda
Motion: \"That the board approve the agenda as presented.\" (Motion by board member Mikoski; second by board member Thomas Tate.) Outcome: Approved, 7‑0.

2) Consent agenda (items 5.01–5.08)
Motion: \"That the board approve consent agenda items 5.01 through 5.08.\" (Motion by board member Thomas Tate; second by board member Bruner.) Outcome: Approved, 7‑0.

3) Explore side‑letter agreements (collective bargaining)
Motion: \"That the board approve the Explore Collective side letter agreements as presented.\" (Motion by board member Mohammed Khani; second by board member Thomas Tate.) Outcome: Approved, 7‑0. Five side letters were approved that evening; two additional ratified side letters will be presented in March.

4) Change orders / agreements (bond projects)
Motion: \"That the board approve the change orders/agreements as presented\" (motion for the agreement package that included Pipkin testing/observation). (Motion by board member Mohammed Khani; second by board member Provance.) Outcome: Approved, 7‑0. The package included a $181,710 authorization for testing and observation related to Pipkin Middle School (third‑party testing/air balance services).

5) Adjournment
Motion: \"That the board adjourn this evening's meeting.\" (Motion by board member Thomas Tate; second by board member Burn.) Outcome: Approved, 7‑0.

Notes: Where individual board member roll‑call votes were not read aloud, the meeting recorded unanimous voice votes. If a reader requires a vote by individual member name for record audit, the district minutes/transcript should be consulted for roll‑call detail.

","The board approved the meeting agenda, consent agenda, five Explore side letters, change orders/agreements for bond projects and adjourned. All recorded votes on Feb. 25 were unanimous (7‑0).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071435,"Quarterly bond update: Pipkin Middle School demolition to begin; board approves testing and observation agreements",317,3750000,4067000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906&start=3750&end=4067","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906/thumbnail_3750000.jpg","/articles/6071435/Missouri/Quarterly-bond-update-Pipkin-Middle-School-demolition-to-begin-board-approves-testing-and-observation-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071435-4d5c1320bb70551e22c9f27a4bc88bc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944769&Signature=MVsZRDCHYO9ayO3Hl56c1ODuiAQF99aYsVZdDmZb1LX-iaKn6MJXdFC24m90u3r~--hcz2nTIgSftDAeua3pPSBzpUPOB97fEo5oxSDpBb9vAkT0ZlOaAJhvi02TxIiuS~er7bC2su5fq6oc~DycV9J6abr6t5zh03ktFzIWxwjUJ9CL7JDM36C0C2VII~UEw3aS-AEjzYqPK6UUrRAtWacL8SpZaSks22aUChg2ZC-AJNTIPkytD~uK26pk84rq~uNAXe-onBPAGwxXmJ2cWRcd0DeARQHT4jvq~gK6h4LQ5v1k9GKvvVFI9wftMTvHc~p-HWkpEnF3BEZj-lTATQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield R‑XII Board of Education received its quarterly bond update Feb. 25 and approved two third‑party agreements tied to the Pipkin Middle School project.

Presenters said the district's 2019/2023 bond program continues moving on schedule: four of six storm shelters are finished or in progress, Reed Academy's new building is well advanced, and field and classroom additions are rising. The district reported a projected bond fund balance of about $150,000,000 as of Jan. 31.

Administration said Pipkin Middle School was in the bidding phase and that the board should expect construction bids to return in March. Demolition contractors are scheduled to begin fencing the Pipkin site the week of the meeting, and buildings are expected to be removed shortly thereafter.

The board approved two agreements related to Pipkin testing and commissioning — a $181,710 authorization for testing and observation (geo/soils and HVAC testing/air balancing were discussed in presentation). Administration described these as third‑party agreements outside the primary construction contract; the testing and air‑balance work is typical for a project of this scope. The board approved the change‑order/agreements package 7‑0.

Board members used the presentation as an opportunity to ask for clearer reporting on contract items flagged as “agreements” versus “change orders,” and asked administration to add a simple column or notation that indicates whether a listed item is within the anticipated budget or is an unanticipated overrun. Administration agreed to add additional clarifying detail for future reports.

Why it matters: The bond program funds new school buildings, storm shelters, security upgrades and other capital work that affect student safety and learning environments. Pipkin Middle School is a major project in the program; approvals for third‑party testing are routine steps before and during demolition and construction.

What’s next: Bids for the Pipkin project will be returned to the board in March for award; demolition will begin following fencing and site preparations. Administration will incorporate board requests for clearer budget/expectation indicators in future change‑order/agreements reports.

","Board received a quarterly bond update showing progress across 11 active projects, a projected bond fund balance of about $150 million and scheduled bids for Pipkin Middle School in March. The board approved two third‑party agreements for testing and air‑balance work related to the Pipkin project.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071440,"Board approves five Explore session side letters negotiated with Springfield NEA; two more to come in March",199,3515000,3714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906&start=3515&end=3714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043052-3267b05d6ebb696d607488d3b430c906/thumbnail_3515000.jpg","/articles/6071440/Missouri/Board-approves-five-Explore-session-side-letters-negotiated-with-Springfield-NEA-two-more-to-come-in-March","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071440-bdeba38e06215dbcf8292f4185adaa12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944769&Signature=NIbI22b57EIQin5rsW8NC68RxHZWPZTRV13xDasn~VkMc9Jk4zvtRlTcuUCki3xsj64vFcwrLuX0zDnYq0rAqqBlMl3n1qoSTC2U4QYmtkXEaoFsG4S04lNQlKREFFOJ4y1kdqHytxwdjVK0Cliy4GoNeSF85Qw1KWjO31w3nkuxe5uNGLjgZOwsZ5EDBgt6dV8lweVnYWn2-Nm5E-MEOAtGMvPq-MfoQcReqiHRYcn16bep~2D1-jfMtPxqfc4rRwlMDCIjokVbZT5vgsA4C2fEIbvptqJ5VUVpyzCZhQE6eb0GHxZDqpyTwY86KFR~r8Hwoc14PqMS1-2iZ9x89g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield R‑XII Board of Education voted Feb. 25 to approve five tentative side‑letter agreements negotiated with the Springfield National Education Association (SNEA) covering the district's Explore summer session. Board members voted 7‑0 to accept the agreements.

Dr. Range (presenting for the administration) told the board the district had negotiated seven side letters in total; five were before the board that night and the remaining two will come to the board in March. “All 7 have been ratified,” Dr. Range said, and the SNEA leadership confirmed late that its membership ratified the two side letters that will be presented next month.

The five side letters approved Feb. 25 cover nutrition services, professional school nurses, SISP professionals, support staff professionals and school police professionals. Dr. Range summarized the substantive changes as largely limited to date adjustments for the Explore session; nurses saw placement‑priority and hour tweaks, support staff had date and hourly changes, and school police had only date changes.

Board member Mohammed Khani moved to approve the Explore Collective side‑letter agreements; board member Thomas Tate seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote, recorded as 7‑0.

Why it matters: The side letters set wages, benefits and work terms for employees who work the Explore summer program; ratification keeps the district in alignment with the union and clears the way for staffing the program.

What’s next: Two additional side letters will be brought to the board at the March meeting; administration said it would present those documents for formal approval at that time.

","The board approved five tentative agreements covering wages and terms for employees working the district's Explore summer session. Springfield NEA leadership ratified all seven side letters overall; two side letters will be presented to the board at the March meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teachers, hourly staff urge board to restore annualized pay; board hears comments but takes no immediate vote

Votes at a glance: Feb. 25 Springfield R‑XII Board meeting — routine approvals pass unanimously

Quarterly bond update: Pipkin Middle School demolition to begin; board approves testing and observation agreements

Board approves five Explore session side letters negotiated with Springfield NEA; two more to come in March