CCSD board to look at $500 teacher bonuses, $250 for school-based staff

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston County School District Board of Trustees says they are looking to give teachers, administrators and school-based staff a bonus for their work adjusting during the pandemic.

School board Chair Rev. Dr. Eric Mack said members will vote next week on a $500 bonus for teachers and school administrators and a $250 bonus for other support staff like teacher assistants.

“This is not a hazard pay or money to buy supplies,” Mack said. “This is our way of saying thank you to our teachers and other school-based employees who are overcoming truly unprecedented conditions.”

Mack said the funds will cost the district around $4 million total and will come out of the approved budget reserves.

“We are greatly proud of our teachers, of our administrators and our school-based staff who have worked in making sure that we are able to one teacher in person and also virtually under these conditions,” Mack said.

Monday’s motion will also incorporate a $4 million district-wide step increase for teacher salaries which Mack says is dependent on when the South Carolina legislature approves the FY2021 budget.

This week, board members Chris Collins and Kevin Hollinshead called upon the district to provide an extra paid incentive for teachers this school year.

Mack said he believes most district leaders support the proposed bonus pay.

“I believe that on Monday without a doubt the board will highly support this motion as we move forward in recognizing all of those who have made this effort in starting the school year a great success under these present conditions,” Mack said.

Charleston area SC for ED spokesperson, Mev McIntosh responded to CCSD’s bonus pay plan in a statement:

Any increase in wages is most helpful to ALL of our faculty, staff and school level leaders. They are the lifeblood of any school. They are busting their tails to navigate the constant changes the state and district have thrown their way.Despite health and safety concerns, we have a number of dedicated employees in CCSD who are still showing up to work each day to do what they do the best and love the most. That speaks volumes in these turbulent times.And all they are asking for is fair compensation that that state has once again delayed and placed the burden fiscally on districts. It is a kind gesture, and I personally appreciate it, but it would take at least double this bonus to make up for the lost wages teachers and support staff have endured since the 2008 recession.This is why our local and state elections matter far more than national.

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