Flint board approves addendum to shared services contract, hears HR staffing update
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Summary
The Flint Board of Education approved an addendum to its shared business services contract and received an HR briefing on recruitment incentives, staffing counts and retention efforts, including $10,000 teacher sign‑on bonuses and proposed paraprofessional incentives.
The Flint Board of Education on Feb. 17 approved an addendum to its shared business services contract for 2025–26 and heard a human‑resources presentation on staffing, recruitment and retention strategies. The addendum — described as a prorated revision because a GISD employee was hired directly by the district — passed by a 6–1 roll‑call vote.
The board’s HR presenters outlined several incentives the district is using to recruit and retain staff. “The district offers a bonus of $10,000 to recruit general education teachers” and a $12,000 sign‑on for special‑education teachers, the HR presenter said, noting payouts are phased and some bonuses are contingent on grant funding. Current teachers who commit to remain with the district now receive a $3,000 retention bonus, increased from $1,000, and certain administrators are eligible for a one‑time $5,000 bonus contingent on available grant funds.
Why the disparity between administrator and teacher bonuses drew board questions. One trustee asked, “How did we come up with that number?” The HR presenter replied the administrator amount reflects competitive county salary schedules and that the $5,000 administrator payment is explicitly contingent on grant funds being available.
The HR briefing included staffing counts and vacancy rates that trustees said help direct recruitment priorities. Reported figures included: 19 allocated building leader positions (15 filled, 4 vacancies), 202 UTF teacher positions (136 direct hires, 43 long‑term substitutes, 17 contracted), and 49 ancillary positions (14 direct hire, 35 contracted). The presenters described partnerships with Michigan Works, Teach Michigan, area universities and staffing vendors, and proposed “grow‑your‑own” pathways and improved onboarding to increase retention.
During discussion, trustees pressed on the equity of incentive amounts and whether paraprofessionals should receive sign‑on bonuses; presenters said the district is exploring grant sources to support paraprofessional recruitment. The board also approved the shared‑services addendum after staff explained the contract is being prorated beginning March 1 to reflect an employee’s direct hire by the district.
The board directed staff to continue working with the business office on cost‑analysis of contracted versus direct hire staffing and to return with details on proposals for paraprofessional incentives. The approved contract addendum will be implemented per terms presented to the board.
