White County board approves $1 million high‑performance bonus, splits funds in thirds

The White County Board of Education on June 11 approved a plan to divide newly received state funds that raised the district’s high‑performance school award to roughly $1 million.

Administrators told the board the state initially paid a reduced portion of a legislated bonus and later provided the full allocation, producing an additional payment of about $392,000 to the district. Mr. Droberger said the legislature originally proposed a $28 million fund but initially paid only $17 million; after the state fully funded the $28 million, White County’s allocation rose to an even one‑million dollars.

“We received an additional 392,000 and change to make it an even $1 million for that award,” Mr. Droberger said, explaining the history of the state disbursement.

The board confirmed a distribution formula it had discussed in a prior meeting: roughly one‑third to full‑time staff as bonuses, one‑third to each school based on student counts for school discretionary uses, and one‑third to the district for central needs, including vehicle purchases. Administrators estimated the staff bonus would net about $560 per full‑time employee and that schools would receive approximately $91 per student under the previously used ADM figures.

“We had agreed on those ratios, but the bonuses had not been paid out yet. So we were able to add to this new money and get them paid out in one lump sum,” a district administrator said during the discussion.

Board member Mr. McDonald moved to approve splitting the additional funds in thirds as previously agreed; Miss Fowler seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

The board also noted that some district‑level purchases tied to the district’s share—specifically vehicle purchases—would require a modest use of fund balance beyond the awarded sum; staff said they would present those details and required budget adjustments to the board if needed.

The allocation confirmation was taken as a single action; the board recorded the motion and passed it at the June 11 meeting. No additional conditions or amendments to the distribution formula were attached.

Next steps: staff will execute the payments to staff and schools under the approved formula and bring any necessary budget amendments to the board if fund‑balance coverage is required for district purchases.