BOE approves plan for temporary “retention pay”

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EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Utilizing CARES Act funds, a plan was presented this month for the Board of Education to institute “Retention Pay” for classified employees who make less than $12 per hour.

According to Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley, the CFO and Director of Finance, Trina Penland presented the idea originally when considering the CARES Act Funds.

Additionally, this plan also includes raising substitutes up to $12 per hour as base rate as well as moving Bus Drivers who drive for field trips to $15 per hour for that field trip rate.

The Board of Education (BOE) retreated to executive session during their regular meeting, and added this item to the agenda after returning. Pushing these positions’ pay higher is a temporary application of funds, but the Board of Education is hoping to utilize it as a stop-gap moving forward.

While this helps with job retention now, Dr. Ridley also stated this temporary bonus would allow the system to revamp the classified pay schedule. The school system is attempting to be more competitive for employees.

The cost of this increase is estimated at just over $306,400 per year. Dr. Ridley noted that the utilization of these funds and implementing the temporary bonus will give the board two years to accomplish this goal to revamp the schedule.

This is not the first response to issues with staffing for the school system. Bus Drivers, specifically, have had numerous issues over the years and seen several attempts to respond and rectify the issue. In 2017, the Board of Education at the time discussed incentives and bonuses for bus drivers including a $500 sign-on bonus for new drivers after completion of their CDL’s and 6-months of successful employment with the school system. Current Board Members Ronald Watkins and Michael Bramlett were on the board at that time and a part of that discussion.

However, the Board of Education has not been the only county dealing with the issues as both former Board Member Tom Ocobock and former Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes reported that counties all over Georgia were having the same issues then. Today, staffing issues affect every business and government entity with restaurants continuing to close early and at odd times due to shortages, retail businesses operating on “skeleton crews,” and even governments like Gilmer County who haven’t been fully staffed in months or even a year for some.

Gilmer updates Graduation plans with tentative dates

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Gilmer BOE 2019, school closed, Graduation, Board, Education, Spending Resolution

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Students are getting more updates as the administrative staff of both Gilmer High School and the Gilmer County School System continue working towards tentative dates for graduation ceremonies for seniors this year.

Throughout April, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs has constantly updated parents and students of their work to offer recognition and honor for these students despite the viral outbreak and shutdown. That continued with their Special Called Meeting this week as Downs revealed specific dates for their plans.

https://youtu.be/T-t3r2wAfmY

Dr. Downs did say “tentative” dates for these events as the school system is still planning and looking at the changing environment.

The current plan does include other grades as those schools wish to hold a celebration for their students to collect some items they may have left, to see friends and teachers, and to provide a little closure to the school year.

Ellijay Elementary School will hold theirs on July 6, 2020. Clear Creek Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School will hold theirs on July 8, 2020. Clear Creek Middle School will be held on July 9, 2020. Specific times or a time range have not been set yet as plans and events continue to formulate.

Answering the most asked question of recent weeks, Gilmer is attempting to address both Graduation and Prom this year. Dr. Downs announced during the meeting that they are looking to hold their actual graduation ceremony on July 17, 2020, with prom the Friday before, July 10, 2020. Again, the specific time has not been finalized yet, though some time slots are already being considered.

Gilmer is, currently, still planning on a televised recognition video on May 22, 2020, in recognition of students and their honors and achievements, but also wants to give students the actual chance to hold their real graduation in July. Filming will be going on in early May as students, staff, and the school board plan to be a part of the video.

 

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