Teacher bonuses still undecided

The topic of teacher vouchers once again hit the School Board during their Oct. 9 meeting.

During the discussion, 13 employees with the school system, including counselors, coaches, and a district employee, were approved to get a $1,500 bonus since they did not qualify for the state’s $2,000 voucher bonus.

There was a motion presented to add 27 other employees, including school administrators and other district employees, to the $1,500 bonuses. School Board member Jayson McDonald felt it was a necessary step to take care of employees. While the original 13 bonuses would cost around $19,500, the extra 27 bonuses would have brought the price to approximately $60,000.

“Those folks that are listed in red have a teacher’s license, that went to school for it, they put their effort into it,” McDonald said. “I think they deserve it. I think we need to make all of these folks, and none of them has asked for it, but I think we need to make these folks feel wanted, appreciated, and I just think it’s the right thing to do.”

The motion failed, however, and School Board member Tracy Fowler gave her reasons why it was too much.

“I love every one of our principals and the people that work up here,” Fowler stated. “But, if you are going to step out on a limb and we are going to start spending money, then you are going to have to get everybody, because if we keep on throwing money, our savings are going to dwindle down.”

Multiple board members, as well as chairman Bob Young, agreed that the state really put the School Board into a tough position with the way these bonuses were evaluated and distributed. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger hoped that, with these 13 approved bonuses, the matter can finally be settled.

In other business, the issue of the BonDeCroft Volunteer Fire Department and the property they use arose again. While the School Board wants to be good neighbors to the fire department, there were some concerns from constituents that were addressed. School Board member Terri Douglas said multiple constituents in the BonDeCroft area were against deeding the property over to the fire department.

“What I heard was that they [constituents] were concerned about deeding the property over,” said Chairman Young. “As public representatives, we have to consider that and keep it in mind. However, there are other ways you can get there rather than deeding the property over.”

For now, the discussion was once again tabled while the fire department continues getting their business finalized. It was asked that Douglas speak again with those that voiced their concerns to her.

On a positive note, the Findlay gymnasium was given an official, formal name during the School Board meeting. The gymnasium was named the Rhonda Girdley Gymnasium, in honor of her service teaching for 50 years and coaching for 44 years at Findlay Elementary School.

A junior representative from the White County High School was also recognized during the meeting. Callie O’Dell was present for her first School Board meeting, and she gave her first student representative report.

The next scheduled School Board meeting will be Nov. 13 in the Board of Education Central Office. All School Board regular meetings are livestreamed for the public on their YouTube page at White County School Board.