Annual stipends restored to teachers

Diboll school trustees last week modified a recommended compensation plan to restore $1,000 annual stipends to teachers designated "lead teachers."

Lead teachers are experienced teachers who guide and counsel younger classroom teachers.

The salary and compensation plan recommended by Superintendent Brent Hawkins eliminated the stipends. However, Trustee Andrea Swor, after the plan was adopted on a 5-1 vote with Swor opposed, asked who had recommended cutting the stipends. Hawkins said there are more effective ways of using that money..

Trustees ultimately amended the motion they already had passed, with Ronnie Coleman moving for restoration of the stipends with Sandy Hendrick seconding. After the 6-0 vote (Ruben Estevez was absent), Hawkins said he will recommend that the Texas Association

of School Boards conduct a study of district salary and compensation schedules before consideration of next year's salary discussions.

Adoption of the calendar for 2008-09 also generated discussion, with Swor asking why Diboll calls for 180 instructional days when Lufkin's calendar calls for 177 days. Hawkins replied that districts wanting to use the state's optional flexible scheduling must require 180 days. Next school year will end June 4.

The flexible schedule allows junior high and high school students who pass all their classes and state-required exams to get out of school 10 days early, with those last days reserved for intensive, more personal instruction of those students who failed to pass all courses or tests.

Coleman told trustees that primary and elementary teachers aren't happy with the calendar but in campus votes over three proposed calendars, were out-voted by high school and junior high teachers. The lower level teachers don't want to stay into June. The calendar was approved as presented.

Trustees then asked if the start of summer school should be delayed. The calendar calls for summer school to begin the Monday after school lets out on a Thursday.

Elementary Principal Lisa Jeffrey replied that all summer school teachers are volunteers and most prefer to start the summer session quickly. Students remain in the mood for learning with just the weekend break and attendance also suffers if there is a longer break before summer school, she said.

After an executive session, trustees approved the hiring of Kevin Mathis and Janice Koether to one-year administrative contracts. Mathis will be director of finance, Hawkins said, a new position, and Koether will be director of child nutrition-chairman of the curriculum office.