The Orange County Schools Board of Education met Monday to discuss staff bonuses, Contagious Disease Leave and mask policies for high school athletic events.
After some brief recognitions, Hillary MacKenzie, board chairperson, opened the meeting by condemning the white supremacist meeting outside of the Orange High School football game, which happened last Friday.
“I wholeheartedly believe in peaceful protesting over government decisions, but I cannot support making room for intimidation, threats of violence or allowing hate groups the opportunity to recruit our sons and daughters," Mackenzie said. "My message to you this evening is that I believe in democracy, and I believe that this community will continue to elect a school board who values public health over personal convenience.”
One-time bonus for staff
A one-time $1,200 bonus will be given to all active employees, including certified and non-certified staff, and all school-based administrators, Vice Chairperson Brenda Stephens said.
Stephens said this bonus is intended “to acknowledge the hard work and value that every Orange County Schools employee brings to the district.”
This bonus, however, doesn’t cover those who work less than twenty hours per week, she said. The board also discussed potentially cutting this bonus from employees who received wage bumps earlier this year.
“I just want it to be equitable and fair across the board” Stephens continued. “Anyone who got a bump over the last six months shouldn’t receive the bonus. We had some people get almost a $10,000 raise. It wouldn’t be fair.”
Several board members expressed their concerns about these exclusions. A vote on whether employees initially excluded from receiving the bonus will get it later was postponed until the next board meeting to allow for further discussion.
