Missouri school districts offer COVID-19 relief stipend to teachers, staff members Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
Pierce City Superintendent Kelli Alumbaugh observed what teachers and other support staff went through in 2020 and 2021 and wanted to help. It s been a really tough year for everybody involved in education, Alumbaugh said. As a superintendent, I just wanted to do something to show some appreciation for all of the hard work they ve put in this week.
Kent Medlin, the interim superintendent in Monett, also wanted to reward the extra hours spent reworking lesson plans, teaching virtually and connecting with students learning in person and online.
State law prohibits districts from giving bonuses but does allow one-time payments and stipends for extra work.
Alumbaugh said Pierce City worked with its attorney and auditor to make sure the extra payments more than $90,000 worth were allowed.
The Monett and Pierce City superintendents said they are aware of districts, including a smattering in southwest Missouri, that have provided similar payments but they are not widespread.
Asked the reaction, Alumbaugh said employees have been excited and thankful. I know it s not a lot. I d love to be able to do more, she said. But, it s a small token.
She added: It was a way to get money in their pockets. That was important to me.
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Third resource officer needed after one goes back on road duty
Monett School Board members recently reviewed policy on school resource officers and school protection officers, slots filled by officers with the Monett Police Department and the district.
School Protection Officers are authorized by the district to carry concealed firearms and self-defense spray on campus, once they have successfully completed a Department of Public Safety approved SPO Training Program.
The district employs SPO Shey Snodgrass as a protection officer at Central Park Elementary and SPO Matt Houck as the School Care Coordinator at Monett Elementary School.
A school resource officer, by federal definition, is a career law enforcement officer with sworn authority who is deployed by an employing police department or agency in a community-oriented policing assignment to work in collaboration with one or more schools. The district employs SROs Jay Jastal at the high school campus a
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