The Sheridan School Board voted unanimously to give bus drivers a raise during Monday night’s school board meeting.
The district, much like other districts in the Deltaplex area, has struggled to maintain a healthy bus driver staff, and low pay is an issue that has been brought to the table numerous times. Monday night’s vote will provide an increase of 19.2 percent to any driver making less than $28 per hour, and an increase of 5.4 percent to any driver making $28 per hour or more. The increase will bring the average rate of pay for the district to an average of $24.88 per hour.
Sheridan Superintendent Karla Neathery spoke about the increase, which will begin on June 1 for the 2023/24 school year.
The school board also approved the use of a $253,475 grant to go towards items that will improve school security. The district will use money to improve access control to 42 doors in high priority areas in addition to shades for windows that will prevent anyone from being able to see inside of classrooms from outside of the buildings in order to help further secure buildings.
Neathery told Deltaplex News that you can never spend enough money on school security.
Sheridan Elementary, Sheridan Intermediate, and East End Intermediate schools were recently recognized as National Showcase Schools for the Capturing Kids’ Hearts, which is a program that uses training, expert coaching, a character-based curriculum, and personalized support to equip K-12 teachers with the tools needed to implement transformational processes focused on social-emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven campus culture, and student connectedness.
Following the presentation for each school the board discussed the $100,000 per year price tag for the program, and how long the program would continue to be needed before educators were properly trained enough on the curriculum.
After several minutes of debates between board members the board voted to continue to program with a 5-1 vote, with Jacob Palmer providing the only no vote after he stated high school educators contacted him saying they did not approve of the curriculum.
The board also approved the resignations of East End Elementary math teacher Lisa Bonner and Sheridan High School Band Director Jake Miller, in addition to Technology Coordinator Caleb Wagnon and Bus Driver Noah Cole.
The board also board approved the employment of Penny Davis as a Sheridan Middle School Math teacher, and Margaret McCuen as a Sheridan Middle School Business teacher, in addition to hiring Halie Dodd as Sheridan High School Nurse.
Additionally, the board approved temporary summer help employment for 24 teachers and two Classified staff members to assist with the summer school program.
Four job changes were also approved beginning with Beth Vaccaro, who resigned as 7th/8th grade Steppers Competitive Dance team coach to accept the Senior Steppers Competitive Dance team coach position.
Laura Brown will transfer from Sheridan High School Special Education to Sheridan Middle School 6th grade Social Studies and Science teach.
Liane Teague will move from East End Middle School 7th grade math teacher to Assistant Principal/Instructional Facilitator for East End Elementary.
Candace Wilson is moving from Instructional Facilitator to Sheridan high School Assistant Principal/Instructional Facilitator.
