A proposed change to the timeline for an employee bonus ad hoc committee failed to win the supermajority needed, reflecting divisions among board members over timing, fiscal risk and the district’s broader budget priorities.

Chair moved to amend a previously adopted postponement and set the committee start date to Nov. 24, 2025, through the 2026 school year so work could begin this winter. Members debated whether committee work should start now — enabling research and potential recommendations — or be delayed until after a pending bond vote and the next budget cycle.

Board members opposed to the earlier start cited uncertainty in next year’s revenue and the need to prioritize retention and the district’s budget. “We have 4 months to get the budget to the point where we present it to the county,” Pat Bradford said, urging delay until after the bond vote. Supporters said the committee could explore outside funding and non‑county solutions and that a delay would only push work farther into the future.

Roll call and outcome: When the roll was called on the amendment, the vote failed to attain the required two‑thirds majority. The tally recorded on the amendment roll call was: Melissa Mason — Yes; Josie Barnhart — No; Doctor Tim Merrick — Yes; David Perry — Yes; Judy Justice — No; Pat Bradford — No; Mister Wildebore — Yes. The amendment failed and the original postponed start date (the 2026–2027 school year) remains in place.

Next steps: Several members asked for guardrails if the committee proceeds later — for example, restricting requests to private, philanthropic or endowment funding rather than county supplement dollars. The board also discussed bringing the subject up again after the bond outcome and during the budget process.