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Bedford board approves one-time $250 holiday payment for eligible district employees
Summary
The Bedford Public Schools board approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing a one-time $250 payment to district employees on payroll Dec. 20; the payment was approved unanimously by present members, with ISD employees excluded because they are not paid on Bedford's payroll.
The Bedford Public Schools Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding on [date not specified] that authorizes a one-time $250 holiday payment to eligible district employees, Superintendent Dr. Schultz told the board.
The board president called for the motion after Dr. Schultz described the proposed payment and said all bargaining groups had signed off. Gina (board member) moved to approve the MOU and the board approved it by roll call; the chair announced the motion carried with all present voting yes and one member (Griffin) excused.
Why it matters: the payment gives a small, immediate supplement to staff during the holiday season and signals the district's fiscal position. Dr. Schultz said the district's financial position allows the one-time giveback and emphasized it is not a recurring entitlement.
Dr. Schultz explained the logistics: "We were able to allocate a $250 per staff member, holiday bonus that would come in the form, on their check on December 20," and that the payment is contingent on employees who receive a normal weekly or biweekly check on the district payroll. He said employees paid through EduStaff or on regular payroll, including full-time building substitutes, will receive the payment; ISD employees, who are paid by the ISD, are excluded.
Board members spoke in support. One board member said, "It's so well deserved"; another thanked the administrators and payroll staff for making the payment feasible before the holiday.
Dr. Schultz also described the communication used to prepare implementation: because payroll must be started early, he said he contacted individual board members one-on-one to discuss affordability and logistics before placing the item on the public agenda, which he said is allowed under the Open Meetings Act when done individually. He told the board the district needed to start payroll processing to ensure the Dec. 20 payment date could be met.
The board approved the MOU and directed staff to implement payment for eligible employees as described.
Next steps: payroll staff will generate the payments so eligible employees receive the stipend on the Dec. 20 check; the MOU was described as a one-time, nonbinding gift rather than a permanent contract amendment.
