Negotiators limit district loyalty bonus to 30-plus-year staff if funds available by May 1

Bargaining teams agreed to change the district’s loyalty-bonus practice so that, going forward, loyalty bonuses would be targeted to certificated employees with 30 or more years of service only, and paid only if funds were available by May 1 of the payout year.

The loyalty-bonus language was negotiated as part of a package (Option 2: B, D, E) that also included the move to the state pay scale and the two-step restoration. Daryl, presenting financial figures, told negotiators the district paid approximately $122,750 in loyalty bonuses this year and that loyalty bonuses are “not guaranteed” and depend on available funds.

Union members expressed a desire to protect staff who have long service in the district, and some bargaining members proposed limiting loyalty payments to the highest-tenure groups while redirecting other funds to offset salary and insurance costs. The teams agreed to notify employees in May whether loyalty bonuses will be paid for the coming year, contingent on available funds.

Next steps: business office will include the May 1 loyalty-bonus decision point in the master-agreement draft and report available funds to the bargaining teams by that date.