The board considered an amendment to a previously adopted postponement that would have advanced the start date of an employee bonus ad hoc committee to Nov. 24, 2025 (running through the 2026 school year) instead of beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

Board members engaged in extended debate about timing, funding and staff workload. Critics worried the district's budget outlook and tight near‑term priorities — including a pending bond process and uncertainty about state funding — made it imprudent to launch a committee that could produce recommendations requiring new funding commitments. "We have four months to get the budget to the point where we present it to the county," one member said, urging caution and asking the board not to add work that would distract staff during the budget cycle (spoken comments summarized from SEG 4118-4168).

Supporters characterized the committee as a chance to consider retention strategies and creative compensation approaches that could eventually help keep staff, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers. Several board members suggested strict guardrails to limit committee requests for county or endowment funds and emphasized the committee would ultimately bring proposals back to the full board for approval.

The amendment required a two‑thirds vote for adoption. On roll call, the amendment failed 4–3 (Yes: Melissa Mason, Dr. Tim Merrick, David Perry, Mister Wildebore; No: Josie Barnhart, Judy Justice, Pat Bradford). After failing, the meeting chair stated that the item reverts to the original decision to begin in the 2026–27 school year.

No final policy or funding decisions were made; the original postponement remains in effect.