Carroll ISD staff to receive one-time supplemental pay before end of year

Carroll ISD trustees approved a one-time supplemental pay for district staff and teachers during their Dec. 6 meeting, citing an opportunity to demonstrate appreciation to staff for their commitment to the district’s students.

Compensation will be determined using an hourly scale, with district staff who work 40 hours a week receiving the maximum amount of $1,000. Staff who work 20 hours a week can expect to receive $500, and those who work 10 hours will receive $250. Employees can expect to receive a supplemental payment by the end of December.

Trustee Cameron Bryan proposed the idea at the board meeting instead of the original flat rate set for full-time and part-time as recommended by staff. Bryan said this option gives employees more money and is “fair.”

“About 80% of our staff is probably going to get close to the $1,000,” Bryan said. “The ones that are working 20 hours were going to get $350. Now [they’re going to] get $500... [This] is supposed to be retention [pay].”

The exact cost of the newly proposed retention payment has not yet been calculated but is estimated to cost the district about $1 million, which will be offset from the operating fund balance. The required budgetary amendment, with the exact cost, will be presented to the board at its Dec. 13 meeting.

Like many districts across the state, Carroll ISD has been struggling with staff shortages across various departments, especially in support and auxiliary positions. Many districts in the region have reported competing among each other as well as the private sector for employees.

Trustees also discussed ideas for incentives to attract and retain more substitute teachers. No definitive ideas were decided at the meeting.

Trustee Andrew Yeager was absent from the meeting.