School board debates $2 million stipend cuts amid fiscal responsibility concerns

During a heated special meeting of the Lakeland School District Board of Trustees on December 18, 2024, discussions centered around the district's financial management and the contentious issue of stipends for teachers and staff. Trustee Sherry Thompson highlighted the district's expenditure of $600,000 on stipends, questioning the necessity of such payments and advocating for a return to basic responsibilities among educators.

Thompson expressed frustration over what she described as a culture of entitlement, stating, "We gotta stop with this hands out," and emphasized that many roles, such as crossing guards, should be part of teachers' duties without additional compensation. She argued that the district's financial resources should be managed more responsibly, especially given that taxpayer dollars fund these stipends.

The conversation escalated as other board members and attendees voiced their concerns about the implications of cutting stipends. One trustee defended the need for compensation for additional duties, stating, "If you want us to work our contract hours, meetings are out. Pay us for what we work." This sparked a debate about the balance between fair compensation and fiscal responsibility.

Trustees acknowledged the challenges of funding new programs and the limitations of state funding, stressing the importance of prioritizing educational outcomes for students. The board is now tasked with finding a sustainable path forward that addresses both financial constraints and the needs of educators, as they prepare for potential budget cuts and the upcoming levy vote. The meeting underscored the ongoing tension between budgetary pressures and the commitment to providing quality education in the district.