Liberty County School System employees could be getting a little extra check at the end of next month.
School board members, who previously agreed to give an incentive check for $500 to personnel, now are weighing bumping that figure up to $750.
The checks, which will be a separate payroll check set to be cut November 21, will be set at an amount where employees will net the amount upon which school board members agree.
“Our teachers did not receive any pay increase,” said board member Carol Guyett. “We all know that costs continue to rise. We have teachers struggling. We have parapros, bus drivers, everybody struggling because of the economy.
“I can think of no better way to make an impact on our system than to tell all of our staff thank you, thank you, thank you,” she continued. “We can do it. We have the funds. I think it is time for us to let our employees know individually how much we appreciate what they do for us and our students every single day.”
While the current fiscal year 2026 budget already has the $500 incentives plugged in, going to $750 would cost about an additional $702,000.
Board chair Verdell Jones said the board had agreed to revisit the incentives payment before making them to see if they wanted to do more than the original $500.
“It’s tough times now,” she said. “So anything we can do to help, I’m in agreement with. We have come a long way with good financial planning in this district.”
“I’m totally in agreement with supporting our staff,” added board member Lavonia LeCounte.
Guyett said she recalled being on the board when the schools had to send half of their paraprofessionals home because they couldn’t afford them.
“We as a board have to make tough decisions sometimes,” she said. “I’m so proud to sit on this board.”
Jones added school system leadership has been frugal with the system’s money.
“We have come a long way with good financial planning in this district,” she said.
Board members are expected to approve the incentive pay at their next meeting and will look at how many hours substitute teachers need to log before being qualified for the additional check.