Bay City ISD staff to draft $500 ADA retention stipend resolution for May meeting

District staff proposed a one‑time retention stipend that would pay $500 per eligible employee if the district meets the attendance target specified in the forthcoming resolution. Staff said the stipend is intended to reward collective improvements in average daily attendance (ADA) and to fund a one‑time payout if the district—s ADA rises by a full percentage point and meets the minimum threshold the board will confirm in the resolution.

Staff told trustees the threshold under discussion is 93.5 percent (discussed as the minimum ADA), and that details on eligibility are still being finalized. The proposal would make the stipend available to returning employees who remain on payroll at the start of the next school year and to other categories only if specified in the resolution. Staff said they will prepare a resolution for the board—s May meeting and provide final eligibility language before the vote.

Trustees asked whether substitutes would be included. Staff recommended limiting eligibility to long‑term substitutes who were in the classroom for a substantial portion of the year (suggested threshold discussed: 50 percent of time in the classroom) and who remain on the substitute roster and intend to return. Staff suggested a required attestation or agreement that employees who receive the stipend must remain employed or remain on roster through a specified date; staff said the proposed sign‑up or attestation deadline would be June 12 and that employees who left district employment before the first day of school would forfeit the stipend.

The board also discussed whether retirees should be eligible; staff reported the board expressed willingness to include retirees who contributed to the ADA improvement, and that final eligibility will be reflected in the resolution. Staff said the stipend payout would be separate from regular pay and processed once attendance calculations are finalized after school ends.

Staff asked direction from the board on whether to include all employees (including short‑term substitutes) or to limit eligibility; trustees asked staff to draft language that distinguishes long‑term substitutes and retiring employees and to return a resolution with those specifics.

No final vote occurred; staff will bring the resolution to the May meeting for board action.