The move will increase child nutrition employees’ minimum hourly rate from $11.72 to $14 in an effort to combat a staffing shortage in the district. As of Aug. 1, 81 child nutrition positions for the upcoming school year were unfilled, according to the agenda item.
Due to the current shortage, payroll costs have been significantly reduced in the department resulting in an increased excessive fund balance in the child nutrition fund.
LISD must have a plan to address an excessive fund balance because of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture requirements.
The board also approved temporary retention incentive payments, which will target both current and returning staff as well as new hires.
Current and returning full-time staff will receive two retention incentive payments of $1,000 each. The first payment will be made at the beginning of the school year, and the second payment will be made at the end of the school year.
New hires will receive the retention incentive payment after their first 30 days of employment, and a second payment would be made at the end of the year. Incentive payment for part-time staff will be prorated.
The increased annual cost will be $1,075,000 if fully staffed or $860,000 in increased annual costs at current staffing levels, according to the district agenda.
The total cost of retention incentive payments would be approximately $750,000 if fully staffed.
The compensation adjustment, which will be funded by the Child Nutrition Fund, will take effect for the 2022-23 school year.
