Union Public Schools approves one‑time 5% retention stipend for 2024–25 employees

The Union Public Schools Board of Education on a routine vote approved a one‑time, 5% retention stipend for eligible employees for work performed in the 2024–25 school year, to be paid in July 2025 if funding is available.

Doctor Williams, a district staff member, recommended the stipend and said the funds are available because of “ongoing efforts … to conserve district resources” and that the board negotiated the items with employee groups. “This is, again a retention stipend so we do require our employees to complete their 24‑25 contract and if they are returning, or not retiring, certified to us that they are going to return to work in 25‑26,” Doctor Williams said.

The district plans to pay the stipend by direct deposit on July 17, 2025, subject to available resources as of June 30, 2025. The board item states payments will be made to certified teachers represented by the Union of Certified Teachers of America (UCTA), support employees represented by the USPA, and to other recommended administrative and exempt personnel classes, with the chief financial officer determining the exact funding source(s) among the general, building and child nutrition funds.

Board members voted in favor: Mister Nguyen, Miss Romerman, Miss McAdams and the board president cast affirmative votes.

The action follows the district’s year‑end revenue and expenditure review; the board previously considered budget revisions and temporary operating budgets at the same meeting. The stipend is conditioned on completion of the 2024–25 contract and, for those returning, an intent to work in 2025–26.