A district committee presented a sign‑on incentive plan intended to attract special‑education teachers during the Indianola Comm School District board meeting on Dec. 8.

A committee presenter said the district had asked for a dedicated special‑education implementation position but decided not to proceed because of five currently open positions. Instead, the committee described a sign‑on bonus plan totaling $10,000 per hire, structured as two $5,000 installments paid in years one and two of employment. The presenter said the program was intended "to help attract special ed teachers" and would also be used to assist with course costs though "we can't pay for the classes, but we can give the funds to do that."

The presenter described repayment terms if an educator leaves early: if they leave after year one they would owe back $4,000; if they leave after year two the presenter said it would be $8,000. Some portions of the repayment schedule discussion in the transcript were unclear; the presenter also referenced additional year‑by‑year amounts that were not fully resolved in the segment.

Committee members said the plan was explained to special‑education staff and the association president and that there was no substantial negative feedback, though a few staff questions were reported. No formal board action on the sign‑on plan was recorded in the meeting segment; the proposal was discussed in committee and will proceed through staffing and budgeting steps.