TEXARKANA, Texas – Liberty-Eylau Independent School District Board of Trustees approved $1,500 staff retention bonuses for all district employees in a regular meeting on Thursday night.
The bonuses, with the intent to assist in continuing to employ existing staff members, will cost the district approximately $652,500 and will be paid for through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Funds.
Superintendent Ronnie Thompson said it's a great feeling to be able to reward staff for their hard work.
"It really goes back to the start of COVID and the stress that they've been under since COVID hit – having to do things differently with handling virtual education, along with their normal duties, Thompson said. "And some of that has continued into this year, just not quite to the extent of year one. But still, it's stressful. So, it's always good to be able to provide for your employees, and that's the awesome part about this."
The bonus will be paid out in two installments – one $750 payment in January and one $750 payment in August. Employees who are not employed at the time the installment payment is given in January and August would not receive the stipend.
Retirees who give at least three months notice of retirement will be included in the pay-out installment. Employees who have resigned their employment with the district for the next school year before the August pay-out will not receive the stipend, or if they have submitted their resignation prior to any pay-out, they would not receive the stipend.
In other news from the meeting, the board held a hearing for LEISD's Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report.
Reports showed that the district received 98/100 score and a Superior rating for the tenth consecutive year. Superior is the highest mark available.
During the superintendent's reports to the board, Thompson reported that student enrollment is now at 2,145, which is down 90 students from the end of last school year.