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Eastpointe board authorizes 2% retention bonus for district staff
Summary
On Nov. 11, 2024 the Eastpointe Community Schools Board authorized administration to implement a 2% retention bonus for eligible staff, to be paid on the district’s second payroll in December using 31a at‑risk funds; the measure passed unanimously (7–0).
The Eastpointe Community Schools Board of Education on Nov. 11 authorized the superintendent to enter into memoranda of understanding and contract addenda to pay a 2% retention bonus to eligible employees, with the payout scheduled for the district’s second payroll in December.
Superintendent Gibson told the board the district would use 31a at‑risk funds for the bonus and that the district had previously used ESSER funds for retention efforts. “This bonus would be paid out at the 2nd payroll in December. It will honor all of our employees,” Gibson said, adding that the board’s action would allow administration to finalize MOUs rather than bringing each agreement back to the board for individual votes.
Why it matters: school officials said the one‑time payment is intended to retain teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff during a period of staffing transitions. Gibson described the inclusion of multiple employee groups and framed the bonus as a districtwide retention strategy following earlier uses of federal ESSER grants.
Who is eligible: Gibson said the plan covers employees who are actively employed with the district on Dec. 20 and those who meet a work‑time threshold; employees who worked less than 50% of the days between Aug. 20 and Dec. 20 or who resigned before Dec. 20 would not be eligible. Gibson listed eligible groups as members of the Eastpointe Federation of Educators, paraprofessionals, food‑service staff, the secretarial union, administrators, non‑affiliates and EDUStaff contracted employees.
Board action and rationale: the resolution authorized administration to finalize the terms for each employee group rather than requiring the board to vote separately on each MOU. Gibson explained that approach in response to a board question about conflicts of interest with individual votes: “Instead of voting on each one at a time, you would give administration the authorization to enter into these,” Gibson said.
Votes at a glance: - Agenda amendment adding item 8 3 a (to consider the 2% retention bonus): approved (yes 6, no 1). - Consent agenda: approved (yes 6, no 1). - Instructional new hires (group vote): approved (yes 6, no 1). - Non‑instructional new hire — Dr. Robin Thompson, director of school leadership: approved (yes 7, no 0). - Resolution authorizing administration to implement a 2% retention bonus: approved (yes 7, no 0). - Motion to enter executive closed session for a student‑discipline matter (FERPA): approved (yes 7, no 0).
What’s next: administration will execute MOUs and contract addenda with each employee group specifying eligibility and payment mechanics. The superintendent said personnel who are not actively employed on Dec. 20 or who do not meet the stated work‑time threshold will not receive the bonus.
