[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6021577,"mediaKeyId","5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d","parentId",5766562,"title","School board approves six SPED bus-attendant positions, with flexible benefits tied to hours worked","audioSeconds",7267,"startMs",7400000,"endMs",132740,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d&start=7400&end=132","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d/thumbnail_7400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6021577/Tennessee/School-board-approves-six-SPED-bus-attendant-positions-with-flexible-benefits-tied-to-hours-worked","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6021577-e7f8ded0ccac308ec378e2fb8aa4196b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091059&Signature=GCTXtGuYhvn5NfJd1GKvzTp4o81yHwL33Ih6sUGiOPMwgzOc1Yd5aAH9tYf3ar3B99DbgE6HxVwJOxjbMyFng5tT8H17Mvotw-QyQgwPQ6Z~p~e-FO5j9iYIe1zubiJKqFew4ekYhlD5V-QXUTRa7uLx9QwhmZVzZ~w1aG41UMp60YKnu1-lh5vlP9p20iHkeaBHwmFSkfQXgrvaMfExISVnk42KeR2UQh8wor-qxK9VqPPnObNmkzOzQCeuLIAd6C9JOy-2tP25hQvnWQH6nsoiE1-ILR3e5ZLAVFP8d75ZKZSDZLjtWxTeYrnT~TK9XP2e54cIMX1UjSYi4CJRCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coffee County Schools","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Coffee County Board of Education voted to create six new bus-attendant positions to support students with disabilities who ride district buses, approving a job description and a flexible compensation plan that ties benefits to hours worked.

The board unanimously approved the job description before discussing pay and benefits. Director Hargrove said the district is currently using bus drivers and overtime-paid educational assistants to support SPED students and recommended creating dedicated bus attendants “so we can provide better services” and keep drivers focused on driving. The district will pay the new positions from its special-education transportation allocation.

The board debated pay structure and implementation details. Special-education Director Westmoreland described training needs and the day-to-day role: attendants will support drivers, help with verbal de-escalation, assist medically fragile students and operate lifts when needed. Miss Nelson explained the funding would come from the district’s special-education transportation budget and that the plan would offset overtime currently paid to aides.

After discussion, the board approved a motion that authorizes hiring six bus attendants with this compensation framework: employees who meet a full-time threshold will be placed on the teacher-assistant pay scale with district-paid benefits; employees who remain part-time will be paid on the teacher-assistant pay scale plus an additional $1 per hour and will not receive benefits. The board and staff emphasized that the district needs flexibility year-to-year based on routes and student needs, and that the number of attendants who receive benefits could change as routes and hours change.

Board members pressed staff to avoid paying two people to do the same work during any transition. Several members asked the district to coordinate hiring and start dates with bus-trainee licensure so trainees can move into driver roles as attendants are hired. Westmoreland said he would provide approximately one- to two-hour training sessions on student behavior management and lift use for newly hired attendants, and the transportation department would handle driver-certification timing.

Board members also asked for operational guardrails. Miss Nelson and Westmoreland said the district would use a 12-week look-back to determine whether an employee averaged 30 hours per week; if an attendant averaged 30 hours per week over the look-back, the district would convert that employee to full-time status and offer benefits going forward. Staff estimated benefit cost at roughly 20% of salary per employee, noting the exact figure depends on the benefit selections the employee makes.

The vote to approve the job description passed unanimously; the follow-up vote to approve the compensation approach (hire six attendants; convert those averaging 30 hours/week to full-time with benefits; part-time attendants paid teacher-assistant scale + $1 with no benefits) passed after board discussion.

Board discussion and the final motion emphasized that hires, benefit awards and exact counts of benefited positions would be driven by student route needs and by coordination with bus-driver trainees’ licensure timing. Staff committed to track hours, report back on implementation, and coordinate hiring with the transportation department to minimize overlap and double pay.

Why it matters: district transportation is a recurring bottleneck when SPED routing changes. The new positions aim to reduce overtime and safety risks, clarify staff roles on buses, and keep drivers focused on vehicle operation while trained attendants handle student supports.

Details to follow: staff said they will report back to the board with implementation timing, the number of attendants who convert to full time, and a clearer cost estimate once hires and route assignments are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Coffee County School Board Meeting 2025-08-11","oneSentenceSummary","The Coffee County Board of Education voted to create six dedicated bus-attendant positions to support special-education students on district buses, approving a job description and a flexible pay-and-benefits plan tied to hours worked.","taxTitle","Coffee County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",78394,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6021562,"District reports strong rise in school-meal participation; staff say lines and throughput are current challenge",100,600000,700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d&start=600&end=700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d/thumbnail_600000.jpg","/articles/6021562/Tennessee/District-reports-strong-rise-in-school-meal-participation-staff-say-lines-and-throughput-are-current-challenge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6021562-c1d02c53e3e577356f0438ec1929ccd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091059&Signature=Q5NnXvRoRZlMVMBIrIv0bGaTpmy7y3cMzNC-Vw5BGavBOSoi8Fac5Ko7C-oNz6-tV6NZLC3hUPT-uPgQt9cEEtYqo5am8yUr-b5CTOPzx4FGn7R-NA15oLrcZSIlkbkyuC3J24eDGWVCdnBTduP-yFvE4SLZQ2jZw56~w1NDNVTUWTOz2BviHy7RmvTCYqZpN28CAuy38gEbiUbF7Qfu0letD7nmq96kfXR1hniNWeaFbG5sowg3x1UlF-SAB--6OFySz-JGoLHIuMgIwIq36QpR~JT8JvqKSR2E8oT-L3094f36EuVRqzbicyVzOm2AarFGD2-raffOb06xslD0iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District nutrition leadership told the board the local school-lunch program is seeing higher participation so far this school year, particularly for breakfast, and that staff are working to speed line throughput.

Director Cotton (nutrition/staff) said the program is up “about a 30% increase in breakfast and 10% in lunch” week over week. He offered specific early-year numbers: “Today we did 1,564 breakfasts, and last year at this same point we did 1,203,” and said “today we did 3,030 lunches, which is a 343 increase from last year,” though he cautioned final reimbursement totals will be known at the end of the month. Cotton said the increased participation has reduced the district’s reliance on free-and-reduced applications and eased collection work for schools.

Staff said the primary operational challenge is moving more students through serving lines in the same time windows; the district is adjusting processes to improve throughput. Cotton called the volume “a problem to have” and said they will evaluate reimbursements at month’s end to determine whether meal-program revenues increase alongside participation.

Why it matters: increased participation can raise federal/state reimbursements for the district and change food-service staffing and line-management needs; staff said they will monitor reimbursements and line-efficiency improvements and report back.","District nutrition staff reported higher breakfast and lunch participation compared with the same point last year, with breakfast up roughly 30% on some days and lunches showing increases that will affect line throughput. Staff said funding reimbursement totals will be finalized when monthly claims are processed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6021567,"Board approves budget amendment to receive state $2,000 teacher bonuses, will pay in September payroll",14,564600,578620,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d&start=564&end=578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d/thumbnail_564600.jpg","/articles/6021567/Tennessee/Board-approves-budget-amendment-to-receive-state-2000-teacher-bonuses-will-pay-in-September-payroll","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6021567-c5ab9b8a29fd979f3633463408205c51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091059&Signature=EPGDeHJztq3Jx32r3avJc6~rFoRXXJABIc~KXFKX4V6bo8jz1tbyRt4oqXg11eukAJonTpG~a~DaAbSe2T~SC5dOO3OmjWDx4vD2gWD1nU-nN4pyOC2rRE4lzP9kjVBCxIciEICXN~AmVuN3u6zq1JOLcgiFztnXZVDaF7vECAMrn9oFlwO-jQe0ODYl2bLHumBVZguVSUv31AcEZuWrffsE7RxkCsppgW1oQ481oeTSDyUixrYCOQQQPj1c-5-2xSMIPTeoRKV3KtPEEYvY~YXxzhr~vA2AdkqDbGgjYDUvDhk-fIwWvRaDJxnhgtVVCqrmB1McsUBYmzvAP~uCQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Board of Education approved a budget amendment to accept state funds and pay qualifying teachers the $2,000 retention/bonus authorized by the state.

April (finance staff) told the board the district received the revenue from the state and must amend the budget to reflect the funds and the corresponding payroll expenditures and benefits. Because a separate bonus check would trigger a higher withholding (an estimated 22% for supplemental pay), staff proposed, and the board approved, issuing the $2,000 as part of the regular September paycheck so the amounts will be taxed as ordinary wages.

The board confirmed bonuses will be paid only to teachers meeting the state’s qualifying criteria. Miss Nelson walked the board through the line-item allocations and noted guidance from the state restricted eligibility; staff reviewed the state-provided eligible list multiple times.

The motion to approve the budget amendment passed on roll call without recorded opposition. April said she will ensure the payments are included in the September payroll and that line items and benefits costs will be reflected in the amended budget.","The board adopted a budget amendment bringing in state revenues for the $2,000 teacher bonus program and directed the district to pay qualifying teachers as regular payroll in September to avoid higher withholding associated with standalone bonus pay.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6021572,"Board keeps incumbent dental, vision and life carriers after competitive bids; staff cites minimal disruption",2560,4200000,6760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d&start=4200&end=6760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766562-b963e6f35e739596d08ca457c655723d/thumbnail_4200000.jpg","/articles/6021572/Tennessee/Board-keeps-incumbent-dental-vision-and-life-carriers-after-competitive-bids-staff-cites-minimal-disruption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6021572-27f4965334be8cb99f91f83dc62eb18b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091059&Signature=iuytLgBq7CD3dqsbAy2QUIbWIDN1~sSWnXkV4RDg6ajxNOb8C~eii84zym7jNYnPuXv8DGAABsT0vRV7kQkWVjX-43JAclUhcphQWqt8f~TXtGU08yNUUVuC1Jl77dsnZtfAnWL-nhMyKenIO7MXde~90Z8~ICG4wUqytg-yY7CVbobokcle8qTi8tprhI6XdfNjIvuq8AXnGj4hi6O~8gYuaa~4aAWCk45YbVqzmXEwQ8dFJgRZ-WVfva-AtuUB0zUSDB~VmVgEbIiUIc6gQ8RuWY96LZN3k4-mEUvvyD3ddXK3X3cVO3s978KGVbgdyL4aP-bGqiJ2WqNGiLa-aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Board of Education approved staying with incumbent carriers for the district’s dental, vision and life insurance programs after reviewing a recent competitive bid and staff recommendations.

Miss Nelson explained that state procurement rules require competitive bidding for non-state-plan insurance and that the district solicited proposals. Broker Mike Ingram reviewed bids: Beam (dental incumbent) proposed a 5% renewal with a one-year rate guarantee and a rollover dental maximum; Delta Dental bid higher (noted in the presentation) and Cigna proposed a smaller rate increase but had provider-network concerns. For vision, incumbent CEC offered a two-year rate guarantee and a $350 “flex” benefit employees can use for glasses or contacts; competitors either tied vision to their dental proposals or offered smaller networks and shorter guarantees. For life insurance, incumbent 1America offered continuity and a policy feature that lets employees add $10,000 of voluntary coverage at each renewal without health questions; Mutual of Omaha bid a slightly lower voluntary premium but the district favored the continuity and service record of the incumbent.

Hargrove recommended keeping the incumbents to avoid disruption. Board members discussed employee access to current providers and the tradeoff between small premium differences and network continuity. The board voted in favor of staying with Beam for dental, CEC for vision and 1America for life insurance.

What was approved:
- Dental: remain with Beam (recommended by staff). Staff said Beam’s renewal is a 5% rate increase with a one-year guarantee and a rollover benefit that can increase the annual maximum to $3,000 under the plan’s conditions.
- Vision: remain with CEC (recommended). CEC offered a two-year rate guarantee and a $350 per-employee flexible benefit and had broad retail-network coverage, including Walmart providers.
- Life: remain with 1America (recommended). The incumbent has provided five years of stable rates and portability features staff considered important; Mutual of Omaha was an alternative with comparable pricing on voluntary life.

Votes on each recommendation passed on roll call. Staff said they weighed price changes against provider access and administrative disruption and concluded that staying with incumbents was in employees’ interests given the narrow price differences and the value of network continuity.

Why it matters: Insurance vendors affect employees’ out-of-pocket costs, provider access and the district’s benefits budget. Staying with incumbents preserves continuity of care and reduces the risk of network disruption for employees and families.","After a required competitive bid, the Coffee County Board of Education approved renewals with incumbent carriers for dental (Beam), vision (CEC) and life insurance (1America), following staff recommendation that incumbents minimize employee disruption and offer competitive guarantees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School board approves six SPED bus-attendant positions, with flexible benefits tied to hours worked

District reports strong rise in school-meal participation; staff say lines and throughput are current challenge

Board approves budget amendment to receive state $2,000 teacher bonuses, will pay in September payroll

Board keeps incumbent dental, vision and life carriers after competitive bids; staff cites minimal disruption