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School board approves one-time bonuses for administrative and support staff under state scholarship law
Summary
Lawrence County School Board approved a locally funded supplement for employees excluded from the state Education Freedom Scholarship payments, authorizing $1,250 for administrative staff and $750 for support personnel at an estimated district cost of about $425,000.
The Lawrence County School Board voted June 26 to provide one-time local supplements to employees excluded from the state Education Freedom Scholarship payments, approving $1,250 for administrative staff and $750 for support personnel.
The action follows the recent change in state law known in the meeting as Public Chapter 494. The district will deliver the state-mandated teacher payments separately; the locally funded supplements for non-teacher employees will come from the district fund balance and are taxable to the district for those recipients, the board was told.
Mister Daniels, director, explained the board’s options and presented cost estimates for several bonus scenarios. “These are folks who bust their tail every day and they don’t get noticed,” Board Member Shannon said during debate in support of the larger supplement. Board Member Adams cast the lone no vote in the roll call.
Board members debated the size of the local supplements and the fiscal impact. The superintendent’s office provided an estimate during discussion that the approved option would cost the district about $425,000. Board members repeatedly noted that the state will pay teacher payments and will cover associated taxes for those teacher payments, while the district must account for taxes on locally funded supplements for non-teachers.
The motion to approve the selected option carried on a roll call: Adams—No; Alexander—Yes; Daniel—Yes; Dryden—Yes; Jacobs—Yes; Rochelle—Yes; Shannon—Yes; Watson—Yes; Weathers—Yes.
The board directed staff to implement the payment in accordance with state guidance and to return with any required administrative details for payroll processing.
Ending: The district will distribute teacher payments under state rules and the locally funded supplements to non-teacher staff as approved; the board will monitor implementation and the budget impact in coming reports.
