Board: propose using half of one-time state money for staff pay

Board members said the district will likely receive a one-time payment of $2,250,000 from the state and discussed how much should go to staff.

"It's anticipated given the numbers we received today that we will have a one-time payment of $2,250,000 from the state. So what we're really talking about is distributing $1,250,000 to our staff," said Duncan. Several trustees argued for following the district's prior two-formula approach: 50% of the staff pool split into a portion that favors senior staff and a portion allocated per capita to multiple employees.

Mike, a longtime board member, emphasized personnel retention. "The success of our district rests more than anything else on our personnel," he said, arguing that the district must recognize cost-of-living pressures in Kodiak when designing the payout.

Administration noted the negotiated agreement does not specifically include the ad hoc formula but that Mr. Fields has helped build the formulas used in past distributions. Trustees agreed to direct staff to flesh out the precise formula and implementation timeline, with the understanding the board wants a one-time distribution rather than an ongoing salary step increase.