logo
Bristol, Tenn. BOE approves bonuses for teachers, staff

Bristol, Tenn. BOE approves bonuses for teachers, staff

Yahoo25-03-2025

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Bristol, Tennessee Board of Education on Monday approved one-time bonuses for teachers and support staff.
Teachers and other eligible full-time employees will get $2,000 bonuses and eligible part-time employees will get $1,000 bonuses.
The teacher bonuses will be paid for by the state under the governor's expanded school voucher program. The bonuses for everyone else will be paid for by the school system.
Board of Education Chair Eric Cuddy said extending bonuses to teachers and support staff was the right thing to do.
'They're answering calls at night, they're answering text messages at night, they go above and beyond their duties,' Cuddy said. 'But also we want to make sure that our support staff and our other full-time employees who do so well and give so much time to their job and dedication to our school system, we want to make sure, that they also receive, a gift and a bonus showing our appreciation for them as well.'
In order to get state funding for the teacher bonuses, the board had to affirm its participation in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which was passed by the General Assembly in late January.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Barrow County faces backlash over proposed cuts to school resource officer funding
Barrow County faces backlash over proposed cuts to school resource officer funding

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Barrow County faces backlash over proposed cuts to school resource officer funding

The Brief Barrow County plans to reduce funding for school resource officers, supporting only 12 of 25 positions, reversing a previous cost-sharing agreement with the school board. The decision follows the Board of Education's approval of eight new officers after a deadly shooting, increasing community demand for enhanced school security. The proposed funding cut would shift over $800,000 in costs to the Barrow County School Board, prompting community rallies and calls for prioritizing long-term safety solutions. BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - A contentious funding debate in Barrow County has ignited community concern over proposed changes to school safety staffing, with parents rallying to oppose a county plan that would cut funding for school resource officers. SEE ALSO: Barrow County approves $182M budget for 2026 with no tax increase What we know The Barrow County Board of Commissioners is moving to scale back its share of funding for school resource officers, planning to support only 12 of the 25 positions beginning July 1. That marks a sharp reversal from a cost-sharing agreement established in 2017, in which the county and school board evenly split the cost of school-based law enforcement. The decision comes just months after the Board of Education approved eight new officers in the wake of a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School — an event that intensified community demands for heightened school security. What they're saying "Our students deserve to feel supported, safe and respected now more than ever," one parent said during a community rally Monday night. "Announcing budget cuts and reductions during the summer, when students should be enjoying a break, adds unnecessary stress and sends the wrong message about our priorities." The proposed shift would place more than $800,000 in additional costs on the Barrow County School Board to continue the existing level of officer staffing. School officials have stated they remain committed to keeping the SRO program in place. "We are confident the Board of Education will provide a safe and secure school environment for students in Barrow County with effective and efficient use of taxpayer money," another parent said. What's next During the rally, families urged elected officials to prioritize long-term solutions that reflect the county's values and maintain transparency throughout the process. The county government says the budget proposal remains under review and will be finalized in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, families with children in the district say they are left waiting — and worrying — about how the final decision will affect campus safety. SEE ALSO: Barrow County Board of Education stands firm on SRO program amid funding dispute Apalachee High School graduates remember victims during ceremony Apalachee High shooting: Judge rules on Colin Gray venue change request New scholarship honors coach killed in Apalachee HS shooting Apalachee HS hosts 'Barrow Together' event thanking community for support after shooting The Source The details in this article come from a rally on spending by Barrow County Schools. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.

Smyth County bridge named for slain deputy
Smyth County bridge named for slain deputy

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Smyth County bridge named for slain deputy

SMYTH COUNTY Va. (WJHL) — Monday marked ten months since Smyth County Deputy Hunter Reedy was killed in the line of duty. Virginia Gov. Glen Younkin signed a bill naming a Smyth County bridge in honor of Deputy Hunter D. Reedy. In a packed room at the Smyth County Sheriff's Office, Younkin said he hoped it would serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifice made. 'Deputy Reedy went to work to serve people in Smyth County, and he didn't come home,' Youngkin said. 'And it is so important that we stop for a minute and not only recognize the heroic work of our law enforcement personnel all over the Commonwealth but also their families.' The bridge, along State Route 11, or Adwolf Road, crosses over Interstate 81. The location wasn't randomly chosen. It's a special road, says Reedy's widow Bettina. 'This is a bridge that leads to the farm where we got married,' Bettina said. '(It leads to) where he was raised. It is a huge connection for us. And so for it to have that bridge. It is an honor.' Bettina and the couple's three children along with several other family members and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth were at Monday's ceremony, including Del. Israel O'Quinn and Attorney General Jason Miyares. Miyares said the ceremony was not just about Reedy's death, but his life. 'The impact to this community when we lost one of our heroes and not just honoring not just how he died, but how he lived every day protecting his fellow Virginian,' Miyares said. Smyth County Sheriff Chip Shuler called these past ten months a new normal for Smyth County- the time after 'evil came to their community.' 'We'll never be the same. Huge hole left in everybody's heart, plus our ranks,' Shuler said. 'So, yeah, we just try to go one day at a time. And we're moving forward. We're taking care of business like we're supposed to do.' 'One day at a time' is also how Bettina describes life, but through the sadness, she says she's still blessed with support from the governor and the community. 'Nobody's forgotten. We still have people with us and an outpouring of support, still,' she said. Shuler told News Channel 11 he's not exactly sure when the sign will be put on the bridge, but he says at that time, there will be another ceremony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

2025-2026 revised proposed school budget announced by Horseheads Central School District
2025-2026 revised proposed school budget announced by Horseheads Central School District

Yahoo

time13 hours ago

  • Yahoo

2025-2026 revised proposed school budget announced by Horseheads Central School District

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM) — The Horseheads Central School District has announced its board of education approved a revised proposed budget for next school year, after voters rejected the first budget amount in May. The budget originally proposed was $105,800,502, which needed a supermajority to pass (more than 60% of votes), but that did not pass with said supermajority after voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, May 20. The newly proposed budget will not need a supermajority vote to pass because it falls below New York State's tax levy limit, the Horseheads Central School District explained. The district released the new 2025-2026 proposed budget of $104,828,196, which is almost one million dollars less than the initial budget, with a budget increase of 2.09% as opposed to 3.03% in the previous amount, according to the district. If it passed, the initial budget could have been reduced with help from the state because of its tax levy increase of 7.4%, the district said, the new proposed budget brings in a tax levy increase of 4.56%. The revised plan, the district explained, is set to raise taxes by 0.31%, or 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The new proposed budget only needs 50% or more of the votes to pass and is set to be voted on by district residents on June 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the North Gym, located inside Horseheads High School. If the revised proposed budget does not get approved by district residents, the board will have to automatically change to a state-mandated contingent budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store