Boone County board approves elective sick‑day buyout into 403(b); employees, unions raise concerns

Boone County — The Boone County School Board approved a revision to district policy (second reading) that offers eligible employees the option to convert sick‑day carryover above a state threshold into a 403(b) contribution paid at 125% of the value, a move administrators said is intended to avoid newly imposed actuarial pension charges the Commonwealth will bill to districts.

Superintendent Dr. Hauswald explained the policy addresses a legislative requirement that districts report employees who transfer more than 13 benefit days; the district says actuarial costs tied to such transfers can be material and this elective program reduces the long‑term liability while offering a benefit to employees. "This is an elective, year‑to‑year option," the board's legal advisor noted during the discussion.

Public commenters and employee association leaders questioned the timing and communication of the program. Kelly Reed of the Boone County Education Association said the proposal emphasized the buyout over maternity leave provisions in Senate Bill 9 and warned it could be used to undermine transfer rights. Charlie Bufano, president of the Boone County Classified Employees Association, urged the board to make employees aware of the downsides of banking sick days — including unpaid leaves that could trigger loss of benefits — and recommended one‑on‑one outreach for the roughly two dozen employees who may be affected.

Board members and administrators discussed procedural safeguards: the administration agreed to add extra notification steps (including targeted outreach and phone calls for those likely impacted) and to share the draft procedural forms with the board in advance. Several members asked HR to ensure employees understand the trade‑offs and the timeline (forms to be delivered within five business days after fiscal year end and returned within 10 business days) and to consider alternatives to an all‑electronic notice during July vacation periods.

The measure passed following discussion. Board members emphasized the policy is intended as cost avoidance for the district and an optional benefit for staff, and they asked administration to improve communication and support for employees who may need help deciding whether to participate.