Board approves bonuses for all staff in FCSD
Members review options to retain staff, bring back retired teachers
The Forrest City School District took steps during its meeting Monday evening to address the increasing demand for teachers in the Delta.
"We are facing a national teacher shortage," Dr. Tiffany Hardrick told board members. "Forrest City School District is lucky we are not facing some of the challenges as our neighbors."
Hardrick told the board that even though the district is not as short on staff as some other districts, she still has five positions to fill and there is always a growing need in the area for teachers.
"I have three propositions for the board to consider," said Hardrick.
She explained she wants to use Title 2A funds and recruitment funding to help retain, recruit and hire teachers into the district. She proposed the board agree to a $2,500 bonus for teachers who agreed to stay after their first year with the district; a $7,500 minimum signing bonus for retired teachers to come back to the district and a $1,000 across-theboard bonus for all staff this fall.
"We want to go after some of our best who have maybe retired," said Hardrick of the plan to recruit retired teachers from the area.
She also said that if the board wanted to offer an additional $1,000 bonus in the spring, she would be open to that as well.
"For certified and classified?" asked board member Patti Long of the bonuses, to which Hardrick answered “yes.”
Hardrick told the board the bonuses would be awarded regardless of what the legislature decides to do in regard to teacher raises.
"We want to reward our teachers," said Hardrick.
She further explained that offering raises to teachers would be a fiscal mistake for the district to do on its own.
"I think if the state does what they are supposed to do, then that's different," said Hardrick of current legislation being discussed regarding teacher pay.
"This board has done an amazing job at paying their teachers without the word 'raise,’” explained Hardrick.
Board member Larry Devasier also pointed out that teachers within the district start work above the minimum state requirement of $36,000.
"The Forrest City School District is above the starting minimum pay and every year has given a bonus since I've been here," added Hardrick.
"And the recommendations would come out of Covid funds?" asked board member Roy Hamilton, to which Hardrick answered it would.
Hamilton also asked if the bonuses are taxable, and Hardrick said they are.
"Can we bring up the $1,000 to $1,500 so they can walk away with at least $1,000?" asked Hamilton.
"I like that," agreed board member Annie Norman.
"I think that's worth it," said Long.
Devasier asked if the district could "swing it."
"We can swing it," said Hardrick in reference to changing the recommendation for the fall bonuses to $1,500.
Devasier also suggested everyone should contact their local legislators about teacher salaries so the public knows where their elected officials stand, officially, on the matter. "Legislators should be held accountable," he said.
"We also just need to make sure we aren't left with an unfunded mandate years down the road as well," added Long.
"Right. This board has done an excellent job this year," said Hardrick of bonuses for teachers. "You've been giving them more than 3%. With the bonuses, you've been giving them at least 6%."
Hardrick also said she wants to be clear that the bonuses would only be granted to those who continue to work within the district.
"In the event we give you $1,500 in October and you leave in November, you owe the school $1,500," said Hardrick.
When put to vote, the board unanimously approved the recommendations that will now be presented to the district’s personnel policy committee before being finalized.
(Continued from Page 1) In other business, the board made several corrections to contracts approved during a previous board meeting and adjustments to others to include increasing of costs.
One of the amendments was for Top Notch Glass to add five additional doors at Central and the administration building to not exceed $15,000.
Another adjustment was for cafeteria furniture costs at the ABC and Stewart campuses that increased a total of $16,000.
Regrding contracts, Hardrick said there were two with errors. One is in regard to SugarDitch Communications where the start date was listed as Aug. 1 when it should have been July 1. The other was for Marcus Nelson that stated he would work two days a week when it is supposed to say three days.
"He's always worked three days. I do not know why it said two days," said Hardrick.
The board also approved spending $37,600 for new curriculum for Pre-K through fifth grades literacy from the state-approved list; a bid for food and nutrition for $554,846.93; new awnings at the Stewart campus for the bus lines; deep cleaning of the Dwight Lofton arena; math curriculum consumables; English language curriculum textbooks at the high school; a safety plan for clear backpacks and $87,487 for repairs to the elevator at the high school.
"It hurts my stomach," said Hardrick of the price for the elevator repairs.
She explained to the board that the district previously made accommodations for students who could possibly need the elevator by making sure all their classes were on the first floor. However, due to the Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities report, the district is required to repair the elevator.
"I tried to push them back as long as possible," said Hardrick of the repair, citing the possibility of investing in a new high school as a reason in upcoming years. "But, now it is a must-do list item. We will build it into the new operating funds budget."
Long asked if the supply chain for parts would be an issue for the district.
"We will still have to make accommodations to our students, but the department understands everything is delayed," said Hardrick. “We just have to show progress."
The board also approved contracts for Norman Hill Enterprises for $15,000 and an increase from $42,000 to $44,000 for Lawn Tech for control panels and fob systems for the district.
The board also approved the recommendation for a new superintendent mentor program.
"This is a recommended vote by the Arkansas Association of Education Administration," said Hardrick, who added the same group would be funding the program.
The board also approved work from Hurd Construction in the amount of $93,140 for new doors, frames and several minor renovations at the ABC School.
Hardrick explained the funding would be paid through a grant written for the renovations.
The board also approved personnel hirings of Stephon Wright as a student worker, Kenya Joyner as a high school history teacher; Cindy Fortenberry as the SPED reading interventionist, Gloria Lewis as a Central aide and Marteva Johnson as Central Pre-K aide.
The next board meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18.