INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A plan could be in the works in Indian River County that would give public school teachers a wad of cash just in time for the holiday season if all goes as discussed at a Tuesday School Board workshop. The plan to offer eligible teachers and other staff members a chance to buy back some of their accrued sick pay was met with some favorable response from board members.
Considering that teachers have not had a pay increase in at least two years and some, those at the higher end of the pay scale have gone at least four years without a pay increase, the plan could not only mean an infusion of cash, but a chance to build morale, according to School District officials.
“I’m definitely interested in the sick pay (plan),” said Board Member Carol Johnson.
Beth Weatherstone, the president of the teacher’s union liked what she heard at the school board’s informal meeting on the matter on Tuesday. She said the cash could mean a great deal to teachers, but she wanted to make sure that it was voluntary.
Much would still need to be worked out like getting the nod of the unions as well as a board vote, but as planned, the measure could cost about $150,000 should each eligible employee decided to sell back his or her banked sick time.
State law allows for sick leave that is not used to be carried over and then eventually paid out at the current hourly rate.
The idea is not just about good will, according to the district. If workers cash in now instead of years down the road when he or she could be making a higher hourly rate, the School District would save money in the long run.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Carter Morrison said he and others created a plan, the one presented to the board Tuesday, with a number of factors in place so not to have a flood of applicants.
