Board approves $10,000 contractual bonus for superintendent; adopts precautionary tax-anticipation resolution and differentiated pay plan

The Fayette County Public Schools board approved several finance- and personnel-related items removed from the consent agenda and discussed under Item 9B.

Superintendent bonus: A motion to approve the superintendent’s contractual performance bonus for $10,000 passed in a roll-call vote (7 yes; Warner Speakman, Merrel Miller, Adam Fearon, Kevin Powers, Harold Rounds, Becky Trimm and David Reeves voted yes; Myles Wilson voted no; Melanie McGuire was recorded as "Pass"). Mr. Miller told the board seven of nine members submitted performance evaluations and that the compiled responses showed the superintendent met or exceeded expectations; board members said the amount had been previously budgeted.

Tax anticipation note and differentiated pay: The board then discussed and approved a tax anticipation note resolution and a differentiated pay plan for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Dr. McPherson and Ms. Elliott, the district finance director, said the tax anticipation note functions as a precautionary line of credit to ensure payroll and vendor obligations can be met when monthly tax revenue timing causes temporary shortfalls; Ms. Elliott said the district currently had funds to cover payroll through July but timing differences have created short-term cash needs in prior years.

Board action: Mr. Powers moved to approve the items; the motions carried. Board members emphasized that the tax anticipation measure would only be used if necessary and that the measure applies to the 2026–27 fiscal year, not the current fiscal year.

Vote record (superintendent bonus): Yes — Warner Speakman, Merrel Miller, Adam Fearon, Kevin Powers, Harold Rounds, Becky Trimm, David Reeves; No — Myles Wilson; Pass — Melanie McGuire.