CC/E board approves retention incentive for staff members

After a two-month debate, the Clay Central/Everly Board of Education on Aug. 25 approved a special bonus for staff members who returned to their positions this fall.

Labeled a "retention incentive," the bonus rewards employees for sticking with CC/E through the COVID-19 pandemic and coming back for the 2021-22 school year. It is worth $500 per qualifying staff member, or $9,000 overall.

Board Member Allyn Heikens originally proposed the retention incentive in June as a way to thank employees for all their hard work during the pandemic. She had seen other school districts offering the bonuses and believed CC/E should do the same.

The $500 checks will be distributed on Dec. 20. The board approved the payments on a 5-0 vote.

In other business, the board unanimously approved an addendum to the 2021-22 Return-To-Learn (RTL) plan.

The plan provides a roadmap for the district to follow in an effort to keep students and staff safe and healthy during the pandemic. According to minutes from the Aug. 25 meeting, the district "will take what we have learned in the past to help move forward safely and wisely."

CC/E is focusing on personal safety this year. In that vein, mask usage is strongly encouraged on school buses but is not mandated. Extra face coverings will be provided on each bus should a student wish to wear one.

Facility upgrades were also discussed. In addition to mini-splits slated for installation soon at the elementary, the building will also be getting a new water filling station. It will replace the old drinking fountain near the restrooms in the lowest hallway. The cost will be $3,948.

The board discussed replacing another drinking fountain by the gym with a recessed-mount filling station. However, the estimate for the work was $8,260 and the board voted to wait a year on completing the upgrade.