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School board approves $15 million MOU to pay bonuses at lowest‑performing schools
Summary
The Hillsborough County School Board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the classroom teachers association to pay recruitment and retention bonuses for staff at identified transformation schools during the 2025‑26 school year.
The Hillsborough County School Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association to pay bonuses to staff at identified low‑performing “transformation network” schools for the 2025‑26 school year. Superintendent Ayers told the board the agreement is intended to “incentivize and recruit top talent” at the district’s lowest performing schools.
The MOU specifies annual payments of $5,000 for instructional staff, $1,000 for paraprofessionals, $5,000 for assistant principals and $7,500 for principals. Ayers said eligible employees will receive the larger of the district or state payment up to a maximum of $5,000 for instructional staff when state funding applies.
Board members who spoke in the discussion praised the goal of the payments while urging continued attention to broader pay equity. Member Combs said the extra pay is “very important” for educators at high‑need schools and warned that teachers are taking on additional financial burdens to support students. Member Gray and others said the district should pursue additional funding sources so Renaissance and other support pay can be sustained.
The board voted 9‑0 to approve the MOU. Superintendent Ayers and district staff said the item is part of ongoing labor negotiations; the board passed the measure during its business session after public comment.
The MOU lists the schools identified for the transformation network based on prior school grades and district progress monitoring. District leaders said eligibility was determined using projected grades for 2024‑25 and other performance metrics. Questions from members during discussion centered on how transformation differs from the district’s Renaissance program and on how schools exit the network; staff said a school may exit transformation after three consecutive years with a C or better.
Board members said they intend to continue conversations about pay for other high‑need schools and to review the district’s data systems to ensure accuracy of funding formulas.
