Lenoir City board approves one-time bonuses, opts to include classified staff at $1,000
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Summary
The Lenoir City Schools Board approved participation in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act and chose payout option 2, which provides $1,000 to classified/support staff in addition to licensed staff; the payout plan passed by a 3-1 vote.
The Lenoir City Schools Board of Education approved a resolution to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 and voted 3-1 to adopt payout option 2, which includes classified and support staff at $1,000 each in addition to licensed educators.
The board first approved a draft resolution acknowledging the Section 4 voucher-related, one-time teacher bonus and directed staff to submit the signed document to the state Department of Education by the June 1 deadline. Dr. Smith presented the resolution and noted the document was the draft discussed at the workshop.
Board members then debated how broadly to apply the one-time payout the state authorized. Dr. Smith and district business staff outlined three options: (1) licensed educators and administrators only; (2) licensed staff plus classified/support staff at $1,000 each; or (3) a flat amount for all employees. Susie Fox, representing the district’s business/finance staff, explained timing and operational constraints and said the district was able to front the funds so payouts could occur this fiscal year rather than waiting for state reimbursement.
Supporters of option 2 argued that classified staff such as teacher assistants, custodial staff and cafeteria workers play an integral role in daily operations and should receive a bonus. Board member Chris Clabo said he preferred option 2 because “it takes all of them to make it work.” One board member said option 1 would follow the state’s narrower definition but still acknowledged the district could absorb a limited local cost if it elected a broader definition of eligible licensed staff.
After discussion the board voted to (a) approve the resolution to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 and (b) adopt payout option 2 (classified/support staff to receive $1,000). The motion to adopt option 2 passed 3-1. The board instructed the business office to manage timing so payments could be made ahead of summer payroll congestion and reimbursed when state funds are received.
The discussion clarified that the state will not send funds until after the governor’s budget is approved and that the district’s business office would temporarily advance the payments to deliver bonuses earlier in the fiscal year. The board did not set an exact payment date in the public discussion beyond general plans to pay before the extended summer payroll processing period.
The resolution to participate in Section 4 and the subsequent payout decision will be reflected in the district’s budget process and communicated to employees once payroll logistics are finalized.