Alma School District reports $157,000 safety grant fully spent; $120,000 in teacher merit bonuses slated by June 30

The Alma School District board heard a superintendent's report noting the district has finished spending an approximately $157,000 safety grant, with about $62,000 used for new fencing around the track and additional fencing near pre-K, a staff speaker said. "We completed spending all of our $157,000 safety grant money," the staff member said.

Board members asked whether tornado shelter doors could be included on next year's grant list. A staff speaker responded that such additions depend on grant categories but encouraged trying to include the doors in the application: "I doubt it. That's has to fall in the categories," one staff speaker said, while another suggested staff could "turn it in and see what the answer sounds like it could be."

The board was also told the district will distribute about $120,000 in state merit-pay bonuses to teachers approved by the state department. "We're going to receive and and give out about $120,000 worth of bonuses to teachers who qualified and were approved by the State Department," a staff presenter said, adding that the list of recipients rose from 22 last year to 33 this year. Staff noted the exact number of recipients and amounts depend on annual state appropriations.

Administrators said Section 4 policy updates and student handbook changes will be prepared for 30-day review at the July meeting, and the board set its December meeting for Dec. 4 to avoid a conference conflict.

The board took no substantive policy vote on the safety grant or bonus program beyond receiving the report and scheduling review of accompanying policy changes; staff described the grant spending and the planned bonus distribution as contingent on state and federal appropriations and program rules.