by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Human Resources Supervisor Linda Foster recommended wage increases for two categories of employees at the April 12 Franklin County School Board meeting. Foster suggested a stipend for certified instructors with the National Board Certification credential and a wage increase for two classifications of special education assistants.

Foster called National Board Certification (NBC) “the gold standard.” “We have our very first applicant for a teaching position who has her National Board Certification,” Foster said.

Acquiring the certification “is a long, involved process,” said Board Member Sarah Marhevsky, who earned the certification when she taught in Idaho. “You have to reflect on your teaching, you have to record yourself teaching, you have to analyze your teaching,” Marhevsky explained. She said the program enhanced “teaching practices” and suggested encouraging Franklin County teachers to pursue the credential.

Board Vice Chair Lance Williams speculated giving a bonus might inspire teachers to acquire the certification.

Foster said some Tennessee school systems paid a stipend to NBC teachers. Tennessee did not require a wage increase for NBC teachers, but some states did. The board voted to give teachers with the NBC credential an annual $5,000 stipend, matching the amount awarded to NBC teachers in Alabama.

Revisiting the discussion about a wage increase for special education assistants above and beyond the 2.5 percent increase proposed for other classroom aides, Foster said she consulted with Supervisor of Exceptional Children’s Services Toby Guinn, to identify two classes of special education assistants. Foster recommended an additional $1 per hour raise for assistants who work with CDC (Comprehensive Development Class) students in inclusion classrooms and an additional $2 per hour for special education assistants working directly with students who have specific physical needs. The bonus would be paid at the end of the year contingent upon Guinn’s recommendation.

Guinn said the school paid higher workman’s compensation for special education assistants due to the hazards of the position. She emphasized the challenges of serving as a special education assistant and the special training required. Trained assistants often leave before the end of the year, Guinn said. The bonus would help promote retention.

The board concurred with increasing the wage for special education assistants. Foster will incorporate the increase in the next budget draft.

Turning to regular business, Director of Schools Stanley Bean announced the appointment of Sherry Cells as principal at North Lake Elementary. “The faculty is very excited,” Bean said. Sells is currently a third grade teacher at North Lake.

The board approved mobving forward with contracting for an individual to mow the field behind North Lake Elementary for hay. The contractor will be selected by a bid process. The school system will be compensated on a per bale basis. Facilities Supervisor Mark Montoye said the school system would not make any significant amount of money from the arrangement, but there would be a savings in time and mowing.

Addressing a recommendation stemming from recent audit findings that the school system “have a plan in place to monitor bookkeepers,” Bean said Tina Lindsay would assume the role of providing oversight. Lindsay holds an M.B.A. She currently serves as an administrative assistant to both Bean and Guinn, splitting her time between the two offices.