Board approves consent agenda after discussion of MOU that pays teachers for overseeing online courses

The Rock Ridge Public Schools Board of Education approved its consent agenda unanimously after a brief public comment and discussion about an MOU that offers stipends to teachers overseeing district online coursework.

Polly Sarkin raised questions during public comment about agenda item 12, asking how the online curriculum installments would work, how many installments teachers would receive, how many participating students are district residents versus outside students and whether the program yields net revenue or cost. The item was removed from the consent package for discussion.

Superintendent Doctor Smith explained the MOU was designed to keep students from leaving the district for online courses. Under the agreement, a volunteering Rock Ridge teacher receives $150 when a student starts an online course and another $150 once the student reaches a completion milestone, for a total of $300 paid to the teacher per participating student. Smith said the payment compensates teachers for work above their normal duties and that the district will provide numbers on how many teachers and students participate before future action.

Supporters framed the MOU as a revenue-protection strategy: staff said retaining a student for a course keeps per-student revenue in-district and that, in many cases, spending $300 per student is less costly than losing that enrollment to an outside provider.

After staff answered questions and said additional participation data would be supplied, the board voted to approve the consent agenda (with item 12 removed for the brief discussion) by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.

The board requested follow-up numbers on teacher participation and student counts before any long-term commitment. No vote on expanding the program or marketing to outside students was taken at this meeting.