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Murfreesboro board raises stipend for hard‑to‑staff classroom, shifts $16,303 in IDEA funds

Murfreesboro City School Board · December 10, 2025
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Summary

The board approved increasing a differentiated pay stipend for a special education 'best classroom' from $500 to $1,000 per month, funded by a $16,303 transfer within the federal IDEA Part B budget; board members asked about federal funding stability.

The Murfreesboro City School Board approved a budget amendment on Dec. 9 to increase a differentiated pay stipend for a district 'best classroom' position categorized under the state's hard‑to‑staff designation.

Dr. Duke explained the stipend will increase from $500 to $1,000 per month for the remainder of the school year to help ensure the position is staffed by a highly qualified teacher. He said the adjustment will be funded by transferring $16,303 within the federal IDEA Part B budget and will not affect the general purpose budget.

Board members asked about the stability of IDEA funding at the federal level. Mr. Settles raised concerns about possible federal changes; Dr. Duke said the district had not received formal notice of cuts to IDEA and indicated the program remains housed in the U.S. Department of Education. "The messages we have seen or have received indicate that there won't be significant changes to IDEA, but we haven't received anything to tell us otherwise," Dr. Duke said.

Mr. Richardson asked whether the stipend was reasonable and necessary; Dr. Duke confirmed it was. The board moved to approve the amendment and adopted it by voice vote.

The change takes effect in December and is intended to help attract and keep staff for a position the district considers difficult to fill. The district transferred federal special‑education funds to cover the increase rather than using the general fund.