Director Dean briefed the board on changes to the teacher salary supplement program formerly administered by the state; the program (sometimes called TSSP or SHINE) will now be administered locally. The state provides a pool of supplemental funds for educators in high-need areas; districts must now identify those positions and distribute funds accordingly.

Dean said the district plans to keep the same high-need categories it had used under the state program — math, science, computer science and special education — and to pay supplements twice a year (October and February). The policy requires an annual evaluation to determine high-need areas and warns that adding or removing categories will change how the state pool is divided: if more positions are included, each teacher’s share could fall.

Board members asked about notice timing and fairness. Dean said the district will seek metrics (licensing, vacancy difficulty) and likely do annual evaluation in spring so employees have notice for the coming year. She noted districts must be transparent, and administrators agreed that taking money away from teachers is difficult; any change will require clear communication and advance notice.

The policy was presented for board review and no action was taken tonight. Administrators said HR will process payments directly; teachers will not need to apply to receive the supplement.