CCISD looking at one-time retention incentive for district staff

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Independent School District board of trustees will be considering a one-time retention incentive for current school district staff, at the board’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The amount of the incentive wasn’t disclosed in the agenda. However, CCISD superintendent Joe Burns stated that neighboring districts have offered everything from $1,000 signing bonuses, recruitment bonuses, and pay raises that averaged almost 5 percent across the board.

“TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) reported this week, that the majority of Texas school districts are now offering retention incentives during the month of December to retain staff.

“In light of this circumstance, I would request that the board consider authorizing a resolution that would provide each CCISD employee with a one-time retention incentive.  The proposed incentive would be a one-time expense and would not increase the district's payroll expenditures in the coming years.”

As far as funding the incentive, Burns said that although CCISD didn’t set aside a line item in the district’s current budget, CCISD is expecting to add to fund balance again this year. Also, the district has ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds that haven’t been expended yet due to the challenge in employing staff to fill the ESSER positions.

Burns said he plans to provide data for the proposed incentive at Monday’s noon board workshop.

The board will discuss the proposed incentive and vote on the resolution at Tuesday’s meeting.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board is being presented with a district purchase of more than $25,000, which must be voted upon. This is for the purchase of Naviance, from budgeted funds totaling $36,450.00.

Naviance is software for Copperas Cove High School and both Junior High campuses which students can use to help explore their strengths, interest, opportunities in their post-secondary career options, as well as find a best-fit career and post-secondary education institutions.

The board will also be discussing and considering amendments to this year’s budget, as well as discussing the district’s annual financial audit report for the 2020 -2021 fiscal year.

Asbestos abatement at both Martin Walker Elementary School and Hettie Halstead Elementary School is on the agenda, for the board to consider and discuss to approve a Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) as the procurement method that provides the best value to the district for the asbestos abatement both campuses, and to authorize the superintendent to negotiate the contract.

A contract amendment for the district’s agreement with BWC Education Group for the rehabilitations and additions at Halstead Elementary is also on the agenda for the meeting.

The workshop and meeting will take place at the CCISD Administration board room, located at 408 S. Main St.