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School board approves resolution to enable $2,000 state teacher bonuses under Education Freedom Scholarship Act
Summary
At its March 3 meeting the Lincoln County School Board approved a resolution (option 2) that staff said is required to allow state-directed $2,000 bonuses to district teachers under the Education Freedom Scholarship Act.
The Lincoln County School Board on March 3 approved a resolution labeled "option 2" intended to meet requirements of the state Education Freedom Scholarship Act so the district can receive and distribute a $2,000 bonus to eligible teachers.
Superintendent Dr. Heath told the board the district does not originate the payment and serves as a conduit for state funds. "I really highly recommend you pass 1, so the teachers will get $2,000 bonus," Dr. Heath said, adding that the state will identify eligible teachers in its database and that payments are tied to next fiscal year’s appropriations.
Board members discussed two draft resolutions circulated to trustees, including a template from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA). Dr. Heath said the TSBA template is less strongly worded against vouchers than an alternative resolution in the packet. The board chose the TSBA-style option 2 by motion and voice vote.
Board members said the measure is required by state process to allow teachers to receive the bonus; Dr. Heath reminded trustees the funds are state, not local, and that eligible employees are those in the state database (not administrators or support staff). He also said payments likely will not be distributed until after July 1 because the appropriation is in the next fiscal year.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote. Minutes and packet materials list the two draft resolutions and the TSBA sample; the board did not adopt language explicitly endorsing vouchers beyond meeting the statutory/administrative requirements needed to receive the bonus.
Board action and next steps: district staff will take the approved resolution to the state process so the district can receive the funds and distribute the $2,000 payments to teachers identified by the state.
