MCSB passes incentive plan for teachers

The Monroe City School Board on Thursday passed an incentive plan to help convince some teachers to move to new schools and meet racial ratios required by the consent decree.

Teachers who transfer under the incentive program will receive $3,000 over three years or $5,000 over five years. The amounts will be paid in $1,000 increments at the end of each year.

Board President Rodney McFarland said Superintendent Brent Vidrine has the ability to move teachers as he chooses, so the incentive plan wasn't needed. If an employee balks at reassignment, McFarland said, he or she can be fired for insubordination.

Board member Bill Willson said he liked the idea of having a fail safe in case the district has a hard time filling positions in a way that meets the racial requirements set in the consent decree.

Vice President Brenda Shelling said she wanted the money to be paid out over a number of years that the teacher would commit to in advance. The proposal as presented called for a one-time $5,000 payout. Shelling said that didn't ensure that teachers would stay at their new schools.

McFarland asked board attorney Doug Lawrence if having an incentive plan was required by the consent decree and whether the incentive had to be money or if the benefit could be additional time off or something non-monetary. Lawrence said the consent decree made an incentive program an option, not a requirement. He also said non-monetary incentives could be offered, but many people will think of money when they hear that there's an incentive program.

The board revised the proposed policy during the meeting to change the amount of money teachers would receive and to stress that the policy is as an absolute backup. McFarland said he'd vote with the majority, and the issue passed unanimously.

Pay discussions

A discussion about down time for bus operators drew lengthy discussion when board member Brandon Johnson, head of the transportation committee, said a board policy for driver pay that has been in place since 1996 hasn't been followed. The policy gives drivers on overnight trips of more than 150 miles $40 for time spent waiting on students but not driving. Johnson said the policy hasn't been followed.

Vidrine said the district will start following the policy immediately, and McFarland said the district will need to pay drivers who should have benefited retroactively.

Johnson said he wants the $40 for down time to apply to all trips farther than 150 miles, not just overnight trips. Lawrence said as long as that doesn't conflict with the six hours a day — three in the morning and three in the afternoon — that the drivers are on the clock normally, that should be acceptable. Because it was a discussion-only agenda item, the board did not vote on the matter.

Shelling said the way drivers are paid has been a long-term problem for the board. She said a clear policy needs to be drawn up so the matter can be handled efficiently and put to rest.

The board also discussed potential pay adjustments for classified employees. Lawrence suggested making the adjustments pay supplements so the board can dial them back if needed in case sales tax funds that provide the funds are affected. Shelling said she'd like to see the adjustments rolled out as a step increase over a few years. Willson said he supports the idea of a raise for classified employees, but he thinks they need to investigate increased costs that are ongoing and upcoming first.

The agenda item regarding the pay increase also was discussion-only.

Finance committee head Daryll Berry said the group will meet at noon May 12. Willson said a policy committee meeting will be scheduled shortly afterward.

Other actions

Following an executive session, the board requested that Lawrence work with the district attorney's office to discuss possible misconduct in the management information systems department and retrieve from the district all contracts from three companies.

Vidrine presented McFarland a letter stating his desire to continue working with the district, which he is contractually obligated to do as part of the contract renewal process.

Monroe City Schools graduations are:

• Wossman High School: 7 p.m. May 17, Monroe Civic Center
• Carroll High School: 7 p.m. May 18, Monroe Civic Center
• Neville High School: 7:30 p.m. May 19, Neville High School Stadium

Follow Bonnie Bolden on Twitter @Bonnie_Bolden_ and on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1RtsEEP.