(The McDowell News) After an outcry from local educators, school officials will postpone splitting supplement payments for teachers and principals until the 2013 to 2014 school year.
Last Monday, a roomful of teachers asked Superintendent Gerri Martin and the Board of Education to delay a decision to pay the annual supplement – between $825 and $1025 depending on the job – in two parts, one in the fall and one in the spring.
Traditionally, teachers had received the lump sum in October. They said many were counting on this year’s payment and were surprised by the change.
On Friday, Superintendent Gerri Martin posted on the McDowell County Public School’s website a letter detailing why she chose to push back her decision to split payments.
“After consultation with the Administrative Team and your school board, the 2012-2013 supplement for 10 months will be paid this year as it has been done in past years, on October 31, 2012 for this school year only,” wrote Martin in her letter. “Some decisions, by necessity, must be made that are final and non-negotiable. However after reading your emails and considering the economic realities we all face currently, we decided to change the supplement payment for this school year.”
In her letter, she also stated that those leaving the system early would have parts of their supplement deducted from their final paychecks.
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