RISON - The Woodlawn School Board approved a motion during a special meeting Monday night appropriating $14,500 from district funds for merit pay to teachers who earned bonuses under the LEARNS Act.
Superintendent Dr. Kevin Hancock explained that the state implemented new rules for teachers eligible for merit pay. Last year, those teachers required only one observation but this year the state changed it to two observations. He said the district had conducted the one observation but did not realize a second was required.
Since the second observations were not included, Hancock said the state did not provide the merit pay. He said four other school districts in the region had the same problem.
Hancock said he did not recall being notified about the changes, noting that such changes are usually included in the commissioner’s memo. After calling the state, he said he learned the announcement was made in a meeting and was also included in an April newsletter that goes out to administrators. He noted that the deadline for submitting the merit pay was April 30.
Under the LEARNS Act, teachers can earn merit pay ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 in one or more of the following areas: geography/ subject, growth in test scores, and mentorship.
After hearing Hancock’s explanation, Aaron Tooke made a motion that the district provide the merit pay since the state did not. Tooke, Larry Reynolds, Rodger Stewart and Marty Reed voted for the motion. David Stover was not in attendance.
Hancock was unable to reveal the names of the teachers receiving the bonuses since the state was embargoing those names until today (Wednesday, June 24).