Woodlawn Staff Receives $750 One-Time Payments

RISON - Both certified and classified staff for the Woodlawn School District received an extra $750 just in time for the Christmas season as the Woodlawn School Board unanimously approved granting the one-time payments during its regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, Nov. 14. Meanwhile, the board also gave Superintendent Dr. Kevin Hancock permission to look into any real estate that may come available next to the campus, and also approved a resolution for a hazard mitigation study that could eventually provide funding to help build a storm shelter on campus. While all school staff, both certified (teachers) and classified (office workers, maintenance workers, etc.), saw some sort of pay increase this year under the new LEARNS Act, several school districts in the region are still providing their staff with one-time payments before the holiday season. Hancock said the one-time, non-recurring payments will paid for through the general fund. While there is no property next to the Woodlawn School campus currently available, Hancock said he wanted to have permission from the school board in advance to open discussions with those property owners should any become available. Hancock said he would pursue property that would support the schools current operations as well as provide space for possible future growth. Meanwhile, the board approved a resolution supporting a hazard mitigation plan be conducted for the Woodlawn School campus to would make the school district eligible for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to help build an on-campus storm shelter. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assists states and local communities in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster declaration, according to the FEMA website. Projects that are eligible under the HMGP grant include (but are not limited to): Acquiring and demolishin...