Board expands 'hard-to-staff' bonus eligibility and approves prorated awards for two teachers
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Summary
Trousdale County’s board voted to include k–8 endorsements in the hard‑to‑staff teacher bonus, and approved prorated payments to two teachers who appealed for partial bonuses based on service and extenuating circumstances.
The Trousdale County Board of Education on Nov. 22 unanimously approved changes and exceptions to parts of its strategic‑compensation plan.
After extended discussion about licensure codes and how state endorsement categories changed over time, the board voted to add teachers holding a k–8 endorsement to the district’s hard‑to‑staff bonus eligibility. Board members and teachers argued that older licenses and state rule changes left experienced teachers ineligible under the plan’s original wording. "If we're gonna pay somebody of our staff bonus... you have to raise Crystal's too," one board member said during debate about parity for longstanding staff.
The board also considered two appeals for bonuses tied to the 2023–24 school year. April Goshen, who said she resumed teaching as a certified special‑education teacher Sept. 30 after serving as an educational assistant, asked the board to prorate the hard‑to‑staff bonus to reflect seven of nine months worked as a licensed teacher. Goshen told the board she "carried the full responsibilities of a licensed special education teacher" and asked for prorated compensation. The board approved prorated payments and directed staff to compute the exact amounts and the proper denominator for award calculations.
Separately, a teacher who missed approved FMLA by 16 days appealed for school‑wide bonus dollars. The board discussed audit risk and precedent but moved to award the school‑wide portion of the bonus as an exception; the board asked staff to review audit implications and to consult the attorney where needed.
Board members emphasized that changes affecting the district compensation matrix and future eligibility will be reviewed more fully at a retreat and in subsequent plan revisions. Staff (Jennifer and district administrators) were assigned to calculate dollar amounts and prepare documentation to support the awards ahead of audit reviews.
Next steps: administrators will calculate prorated amounts, document rule changes for minutes and the strategic‑compensation record, and present recommendations at the next meeting.