Dr. Jimmy Carter presented the incentive pay rubric for teachers who have participated in developing the videos for distance learning. at the regular October meeting of the Union County Board of Education The maximum stipend per teacher would be $1500 with the maximum cost to be $300,000. The funds would come from the Reopening Grant, the CARES Act Grant, and the Professional Development line at $100,000 from each source. When board member Marty Gibbs questioned what would be the penalty for not completing the videos and causing a lapse in distance learning instruction, Carter emphatically answered that the teachers are too dedicated to let that happen, but instructional coaches are assisting teachers to fill in any gaps. Also, teachers will be paid in two stipends with the first allotment in November and the second in the spring, probably in late March or early April. Teachers will be paid on the basis of quality and quantity of lessons produced.
Carter did not report regarding a meeting with Mayor Bailey but he did have an answer to board member Andrew Reed's question in the called meeting regarding what part of the $3M in Capital Projects funded other than capital improvements.
Carter announced that TNVA earns and receives $1M of that money. The remaining $2M is used by Union County School System to fund personnel. Under the state funding program, BEP, Union County earns one nurse position, but funds seven; earns14 custodians, but funds 38; earns one technology position, but funds five, and funds 42 additional teaching positions. Reed did not comment.
Union County Education Association President Carolyn Murr reiterated that teachers were using their own time to produce the videos, and the pay, although not equal to the time involved, is appreciated. She also requested time to work on grades during the school day.
Sonja Saylor, Professional Development Coordinator, was recognized for organizing a Teacher Depot to provide markers, crayons, batteries and other supplies for students. Kathy Wright, who represents Pearls of Grace, was instrumental in garnering a lot of public and business support. Businesses and teachers who worked the Teacher Depot were also given certificates.
The board agreed to give Union County an easement for property between Luttrell Elementary and LaFollette Housing so the county can facilitate the completion of the four-year-old Safe Routes to School Grant. The grant provides a lighted concrete path for children to walk to Luttrell School. The board asked to review the final plan before completion.
The board also approved two resolutions concerning COVID-19 impact. The first resolution requested the state legislature maintain the BEP Funds for FY22 at a minimum of FY21 and not cut funding due to reductions in enrollment because of COVID-19. Union County currently has 500 students on home school or distance learning. Transportation and school lunch funding, as well as the instructional program, would be impacted by the cuts. The second resolution requests that there be a moratorium on use of test data for evaluations and rankings for next school year.
The board approved contracts for fire alarms, copy machines, Chromebooks and special education services and all budget amendments, transfers and surplus items.
Several board policy updates will be considered at the next regular meeting on November 12.