Staff members at Burlington Community School District will get bonuses – if they come back to their jobs next school year.
District officials are considering them retention bonuses.
“We want staff to come back next year,” said Gregory Reynolds, director of business services. “This might be one way of helping, of getting some assurances that they do return.
The bonuses for staff are coming after full-time classroom teachers in Iowa received $1,000 retention payments for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, as mandated by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The BCSD school board approved the staff bonuses this week.
If staff members who were employed on Oct. 1 of the current school year are still there on Oct. 1 of the upcoming school year, they will get three extra days’ pay.
Those eligible for the bonuses include administrative employees and maintenance, clerical, custodial, food service, and transportation workers.
The bonuses range from around one $150 to $1,200 and are based on the average salaries within employee classifications.
For example, all bus drivers will get the same payment, regardless of individual wages.
Previously the district considered a flat $500 bonus for all staff members, but officials said that would have cost the district significantly more money.
The bonuses as approved will cost the district around $135,000 and will be paid from federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds distributed to school districts during the pandemic.
Board president Joel Sieren said the bonuses were calculated in the interest of fairness.
“People are getting three days extra pay and that’s consistent across the board. That was the effort of the three days,” Sieren said.
Board members supported the bonuses, but some had concerns.
Scott Mason said the timing is unfortunate, in light of teachers already receiving their bonuses, and staff members not getting theirs until October.
“Teachers are rewarded for having been here. Support staff will be rewarded if they stick it out. That’s a tough message if I’m a support staff, saying well, I was here the same time the teachers were, and the state mandated they get something. And in order for me to be rewarded in a similar vein, I have to come back,” Mason said.
The board also approved an agreement that has already been ratified by the Burlington Education Association.
Per that agreement, teachers will get 3.11% raises for the upcoming school year.
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