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Trustees split on grant-funded supplement requests; board excludes one request and later rejects remainder
Summary
A vote Oct. 6 produced an amendment to remove the first listed grant-funded supplement request and a subsequent failed vote on the remaining items; trustees debated fairness, booster-club funding and equity across schools.
Lexington School District 5 trustees debated a set of grant-funded supplement requests (Exhibit F) and took two related votes Oct. 6.
Motion and amendment Trustees first considered a motion to approve the rolling grant-funded supplement requests listed in Exhibit F. A trustee moved to amend the motion to exclude the first listed request (item 1) on the basis that that role included duties already in a recently approved job description. The board approved the amendment to exclude item 1 by voice vote (the board recorded the amendment as carrying 6–1).
Final vote and outcome After debate about the remaining supplement request(s), the subsequent vote to approve the remainder of Exhibit F failed on a 5–2 vote, meaning the board did not approve the remaining grant-funded supplement requests at that meeting.
Key points from debate - Item 1: Several trustees objected to approving a supplement that duplicated duties they said were part of an athletic director's job description (the amendment excluded that item). One trustee said: the job description for the athletic director already lists responsibilities, and the board should not create an additional, ongoing expectation in the form of a separate supplement. - Dazzlers (dance) supplement: Trustees discussed a supplemental request tied to the Dazzlers dance team at Dutch Fork. Administration said the Dazzlers supplement would be paid on top of district arts supplements and that the role is unique to Dutch Fork Middle/High. Trustees debated whether booster-club fundraising should drive supplements and whether that created equity issues across schools. - Payment mechanics: HR staff said the requested supplements are one-time payments, not permanent changes to base pay; pay steps were tied to experience ranges and principals must sign supplement agreements detailing hours and duties.
Trustees asked administration to complete a broader, district-wide review of supplement schedules between November and April so the board can consider a more systematic approach to fairness and compensation for extracurricular and booster-funded duties.
Ending: The board left the grant-funded supplement request unresolved for items other than the excluded first line; administrators said they will return with more detail as part of a comprehensive supplement-schedule study.
