Kanawha County teachers and school employees will continue to earn a bonus of up to $1,050 for faithful attendance during the 2008-09 school year.
Kanawha County teachers and school employees will continue to earn a bonus of up to $1,050 for faithful attendance during the 2008-09 school year.
School board members voted 4-1 Monday to renew the incentive policy without any changes.
The board voted by the same margin last year, and board member Pete Thaw reinforced his vote against the plan. Thaw said he does not want to reward employees just for going to work.
Board members Bill Raglin and Jim Crawford defended the incentive as a sure-fire way to cut back on substitute teacher costs. Board member Barbara Welch believes it could help recruit new employees.
"Dependability is a measure of performance," Raglin said. "The student is a benefactor. When a sub shows up that's a day lost in education."
Crawford said renewing the policy was the right thing to do.
"For us to spend this kind of money for people to show up [at work] is ridiculous," Thaw said.
In July, school board Treasurer Harry Reustle expects the incentive payout to cost about $471,000 more than the county is expected to save in substitute teacher costs.
Last year, to help cut back on substitute costs, school board members also passed a policy that discourages employees from taking unexcused days off work.
"I think it's just good business," Raglin said.
He said the policy might need tweaked in the future to see what's most cost effective. For instance, he said employees might be rewarded for only missing one or two days from work. Currently, teachers that miss three days of work or less each year receive a bonus that ranges between $840 and $1,050, depending on how many days are missed.
Also Thursday:
The board formally approved the suspension, without pay, of former Stonewall Jackson Middle School art teacher Melissa Brown. Brown, 28, and her brother, Jeremy Mark Brown, 24, were arrested in April and accused of robbing banks in Cabell County and Charleston. Brown will be suspended until her court case is completed. Board members heard from a parent, grandparent and student who said their families benefited from the school system's partnership with the Prestera Center, which offers psychological services.
To contact staff writer Davin White, use e-mail or call 348-1254.
Kanawha County teachers and school employees will continue to earn a bonus of up to $1,050 for faithful attendance during the 2008-09 school year.
School board members voted 4-1 Monday to renew the incentive policy without any changes.
The board voted by the same margin last year, and board member Pete Thaw reinforced his vote against the plan. Thaw said he does not want to reward employees just for going to work.
Board members Bill Raglin and Jim Crawford defended the incentive as a sure-fire way to cut back on substitute teacher costs. Board member Barbara Welch believes it could help recruit new employees.
"Dependability is a measure of performance," Raglin said. "The student is a benefactor. When a sub shows up that's a day lost in education."
Crawford said renewing the policy was the right thing to do.
"For us to spend this kind of money for people to show up [at work] is ridiculous," Thaw said.
In July, school board Treasurer Harry Reustle expects the incentive payout to cost about $471,000 more than the county is expected to save in substitute teacher costs.
Last year, to help cut back on substitute costs, school board members also passed a policy that discourages employees from taking unexcused days off work.
"I think it's just good business," Raglin said.
He said the policy might need tweaked in the future to see what's most cost effective. For instance, he said employees might be rewarded for only missing one or two days from work. Currently, teachers that miss three days of work or less each year receive a bonus that ranges between $840 and $1,050, depending on how many days are missed.
Also Thursday:
The board formally approved the suspension, without pay, of former Stonewall Jackson Middle School art teacher Melissa Brown. Brown, 28, and her brother, Jeremy Mark Brown, 24, were arrested in April and accused of robbing banks in Cabell County and Charleston. Brown will be suspended until her court case is completed. Board members heard from a parent, grandparent and student who said their families benefited from the school system's partnership with the Prestera Center, which offers psychological services.To contact staff writer Davin White, use e-mail or call 348-1254.
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