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Board approves $1,000 retention bonus for returning contracted employees
Summary
Trustees approved a $1,000 retention bonus for 307 returning contracted staff to be paid in June 2025; state funding covers $178,699 but the full cost (including FICA) is estimated at $330,485.50, leaving a division-funded gap of $151,786.50.
Ms. Rice presented the board with details of a state-funded retention bonus program and recommended the district provide a $1,000 bonus to all returning contracted full- and part-time employees. The State Department of Education allocated $178,699 to Westmoreland County Public Schools based on 166 SOQ-funded positions; the district counted 307 returning contracted employees. "The cost of a $1,000 bonus for all 307 employees plus FICA is $330,485.50," Ms. Rice said, which produces a shortfall of $151,786.50 if the board grants the bonus to everyone under the recommendation.
Rebecca Myers moved to approve the recommendation to provide the $1,000 retention bonus to all returning contracted employees; Dr. Daniel Wallace seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote with the chair announcing the motion carried. Board members discussed timing and recommended paying the bonus in the June 2025 payroll to use current-year funds rather than carrying the cost into next fiscal year.
Board members framed the decision as both a morale measure and a recognition of staff contributions. "I think it'd be a good morale booster," Dr. Wallace said. Trustees asked administrators to continue to consider budget impacts in future years.
