News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Van Buren County School staff will be receiving a one time bonus this year through ESSER COVID relief funds.
Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said full time employees will get $500 and part-time employees will draw $250.
“I think that will be a morale boost for them, because they have worked hard during the COVID season,” Cole said. “It’s been pretty stressful this school year has, and ever little bit helps the teachers.”
About $917,000 was given to the school system, so Cole said other improvements are on the way. Doors, windows and a cooling tower will be replaced at Spencer Elementary School. Cole said two new playgrounds are also being installed along with other purchases.
“Hand sanitizer stations, water filters for bottle filling stations we have,” Cole said. “Touchless soap dispensers, automatic toilets, automatic sinks and a virtual coordinator possibly.”
Cole said a dyslexia screener and new door and windows for ag building tops off the list. The school system has until March 15th to submit these plans to receive the funding and start work.
In other business, the Van Buren County School Board approved the calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. Cole said teachers voted for this adopted schedule.
The first day of school will be August 9th. The last day is on May 24th. Fall break is the second week of October. Spring Break is the third week of March.
