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

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…