Board approves two‑year financial incentive to recruit eighth‑grade teachers at Monroe Middle School

The Union County Board of Education on March 11 approved a two‑year strategic staffing initiative to recruit eight experienced eighth‑grade teachers to Monroe Middle School, funded through the state ReSTART program and tied to student growth measures.

Board members voted to authorize a targeted recruitment and retention package that would pay participating teachers four staggered $7,500 installments (totaling up to $30,000 across two years) if agreed growth metrics are met. The plan focuses on hiring three math teachers, three English teachers and two science teachers for eighth grade and requires a two‑year commitment from hired teachers.

The superintendent, Dr. Andrew G. Houlihan, said the proposal grew out of the curriculum committee and aims to address vacancies and high turnover at Monroe Middle School, which the district identified as a long‑standing low‑performing school. "When it comes to getting outcomes for kids and increasing achievement, the quality of the classroom teacher is where it begins," Houlihan said.

Dr. Tyson summarized the compensation schedule: the first $7,500 would be paid at the start of the contract in August 2025, a second $7,500 at the end of year one (June 2026), a third $7,500 at the start of year two (October 2026) and a final $7,500 at the end of year two (June 2027), with the fourth installment contingent on measured student growth during the teachers' assignment at Monroe Middle School.

District staff said the program would be marketed internally and publicly; teachers with a three‑year average meeting the district's EVOS (teacher growth) criteria could apply. The district reported it identified "just over a hundred" eligible teachers within Union County middle schools who meet the performance threshold, though those candidates' current placements would need verification before any hires.

Board member Reverend Kirkpatrick moved the motion to accept the initiative; a second was recorded but not named in the public record. The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

District staff told the board there would be no local budget impact for the incentive because the funding will come from the statewide ReSTART program. Staff described the timeline as aggressive: job postings would be published immediately if the board approved, with an objective to have hires in place by May 1.

Questions from board members addressed program details, including how EVOS data would be verified, whether current Monroe Middle teachers not eligible for the incentive would be displaced (district staff said they expect to use natural attrition and might reassign an eighth‑grade teacher within the school if necessary), and how the district would evaluate and potentially replicate the program in other schools or grade levels.

Votes at a glance

- Approve meeting agenda: motion approved (voice vote; board did not record individual tallies). - Approve minutes from Feb. 4, 2025: motion approved (voice vote; board did not record individual tallies). - Consent agenda: motion approved (voice vote; board did not record individual tallies). - Strategic staffing initiative for Monroe Middle School (targeted recruitment of eight eighth‑grade teachers with staggered $7,500 payments and a two‑year commitment, funded through ReSTART): motion moved by Reverend Kirkpatrick; second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote).

The board asked staff to report back on interest and application volume after posting. District staff said if the initiative yields positive results, they will return with recommendations to expand or adapt the model for other schools or grade levels.