The Trigg County school board approved the supplemental or “do over” year due to COVID-19 along with a one-time stipend for classified and certified teachers.
At Thursday night’s meeting, Superintendent Bill Thorpe recommended the board approve Senate Bill 128 that allows students to repeat the school year. He said they have seven students who have requested the supplemental year.
click to download audioThe recommendation was unanimously approved by a 4-0 vote with board member Clara Beth Hyde absent from the meeting.
The board had a lengthy discussion about a one-time stipend for classified and certified employees. The stipend was initially set at $140 but Thorpe said he didn’t have a problem with a higher amount and had received a request from a board member to raise it to $1,000.
Board member Charlene Sheehan said she believed the classified and certified employees should get $1,000 because they have worked hard and deserve it. However, board member Gayle Rufli said she was more comfortable with a $500 stipend.
click to download audioSheehan disagreed and said the $1,000 stipend would show the teachers they are appreciated.
click to download audioDistrict Finance Officer Holly Greene pointed out to the board that the one-time $1,000 stipend would be almost a half-million-dollar commitment.
click to download audioAfter a lengthy discussion, the board unanimously approved the motion for the one time $1,000 stipend for classified and certified employees who are currently employed and are able to prove they have provided extra service outside of the regular day or during the summer to address student and parent needs for learning loss or to prevent, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. The motion also included that documentation of extra service would need to be provided no later than June 30.
Prior to the meeting, the board recognized fifteen retirees with a combined 227 years of experience during a reception at the middle school Media Center.
