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BOE to look into lack of Christmas bonuses

ELKINS — After learning that a so-called “Christmas bonus” was not provided to Randolph County Schools employees this year, Board of Education members on Tuesday promised to look into the issue and find out why.

Frank Caputo, staff representative of American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, spoke during Tuesday night’s regular board meeting, which took place at Elkins Middle School. Caputo said the county’s employees have been given the $500 bonus check each year for the past five years.

When the check did not come this year, he said it was quite a blow to employees — especially because they counted on it.

“It had to be very devastating not to receive (the money),” Caputo said to the BOE, explaining that the funding comes from Senate Bill 541, which was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2007.

He said the Senate intended for the money to be used to keep and attract highly qualified school employees.

“This money was intended to be an incentive,” he said, adding that throughout the local area and all over the state, many positions are unfilled because of a lack of certified candidates.

He pointed out the BOE has the right to use and appropriate its share of funds from Senate Bill 541 as it sees fit, but he said the bill’s intention was to provide additional income for employees.

He read part of a Nov. 14, 2007, letter from the Senate Education Subcommittee C, addressed to the president of the Senate Education Committee and the state superintendent of schools, which referred to the intention of SB 541.

The portion of the letter reads, “It is the hope of this subcommittee that the funds be used for that purpose, namely, to increase salaries and/or benefits of both teachers and service personnel and to attract and retain highly qualified, certified teachers.”

Caputo asked Board of Education members for a vote on the issue Tuesday, saying the funding “was meant to be for people, not things.”

Board member Rachel Anger said, “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” referring to the discontinued Christmas bonuses. The BOE did not take a vote on the issue Tuesday.

Board President Donna Auvil asked Superintendant of Schools Pam Hewitt to discuss what the funds were used for this year. Hewitt said some counties have given the funds directly to employees just as Caputo described, while “other counties, depending on their financial situations, chose not to do that.”

She said the SB 541 funding adds up to approximately $300,000 for Randolph County. When Randolph County’s school levy was in place, she said, the county’s portion of funds from SB 541 were used for the employees. Randolph County residents have voted down another school levy three times since 2015.

“We’re not in a financial position to do that in this point in time,” she said, adding the county’s employees do an excellent job, and she didn’t want to imply otherwise.

This year, in light of the levy not passing, Hewitt said the county had to use the funds to balance the budget.

Auvil said it was her understanding the $500 bonus for the previous five years was part of “the life of the school levy.”

“I’m not positive, but we will look into that,” she said.

Auvil and other board members agreed to plan a work session to discuss the matter, as well as plan a work session to get financial updates in light of their recent decisions about proposed school closures.

Last month, the board voted to accept a proposal to close Valley Head Elementary School and send those students to George Ward Elementary in Mill Creek. The board also considered closing Homestead Elementary School, but ultimately denied that proposal.

Hewitt previously said closing Homestead Elementary School could save approximately $850,000, and the school building needs a number of costly repairs that could add up to an estimated $5 million. Some of the needed upgrades include a new roof and heating system, as well as plumbing and a new electrical system.

On Tuesday, the Board of Education members agreed they need to take a closer look at plans for that school and the overall budget.

Tuesday’s meeting also included presentations from students and staff members at Elkins Middle School and Third Ward Elementary School, which highlighted student achievements and successful programs.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at North Elementary School.

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