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McDowell County board approves $758,000 employee supplement package to boost pay
Summary
The McDowell County Board of Education unanimously approved a recurring employee supplement schedule funded by a mix of local increases and ESSER savings, with an estimated annual cost of about $758,000 and new lines for non‑certified staff.
The McDowell County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve an updated employee supplement schedule that the finance committee recommended on Aug. 2024. The board approved the package after the finance officer described a plan that splits certified staff supplements by longevity (0–9, 10–20, and 21–30 years) and adds a line for non‑certified staff.
Board members said the supplements are funded in part by a county increase and ESSER funds that the district conserved. Finance officer Miss Rampey told the board the package was reviewed in both the finance committee and a July work session and described the schedule as recurring "going here forward." One board member cited an estimated annual cost "around 758,000." Miss Rampey said she would follow up with comparative language to show competitiveness with neighboring counties.
Mister Frank moved to accept the finance committee proposal; Mister Shuford seconded. The board voted by show of hands and "the motion carries unanimously," the chair said. Doctor Tracy Grit, the superintendent, thanked the board and administrators and said raising supplements is "a huge step" and an important way to show support for veteran teachers and classified employees.
Board members discussed that part of the increase stems from "low‑wealth" allocations and anticipated state bonuses; the superintendent and finance staff said the combined state and local funding produced the ability to offer higher pay to veteran teachers in some longevity bands. The board also noted an athletic supplement line remains under development and will be worked into the schedule later.
The board did not provide a line‑by‑line tally of individual votes in the public roll call; the meeting record shows the motion carried unanimously. Implementation was described as budgeted and recurring; Miss Rampey said she would provide additional comparative materials to demonstrate competitiveness with neighboring districts.
The board moved on to routine committee reports after approving the supplements.
