A short Mancos School Board meeting Monday night may lead to some good news for staff at Mancos schools.
Mancos School District Superintendent Brian Hanson proposed giving $200 bonuses to all staff, in addition to stipends that could amount to about 2.5 percent of each staff member's salary.
Hanson told the board in October that because of increased enrollment, they could add $261,049 to the budget.
On Monday, Hanson said he was reluctant to use the money for raises because enrollment could drop again and raises would need to be continued year after year.
"This would be a one-time deal," he said.
Board members said it would be nice to reward employees after several lean years.
"We've asked our teachers to do so much for so long with so little," said board member Blake Mitchell. "They are important to us."
School board president Monty Guiles agreed, saying, "I don't know if we have given teachers much of anything the last five years. We all know teachers are grossly underpaid."
Four of the five board members indicated they favored the stipends and bonuses. Beverly Humiston-Scott questioned the decision.
"I don't mean to sound like a Grinch, but is there a reason we don't start putting this back for a rainy day?" she asked.
Hanson replied that reserves are healthy.
The board is expected to approve the budget in its January meeting.
Employee insurance discussed
The board also discussed health insurance.
Business manager Susan Doudy said that with current insurance for teachers and staff, costs would rise 12.9 percent. The proposed budget allows for a 10 percent increase.
Doudy proposed they increase the teacher's deductible to $2,000, from $1,000.
"I propose that teachers still pay the $1,000 deductible, but if they need to go over that, then the district would pick up the remaining $1,000," she said.
Doudy said that only 10 to 12 people a year go over the $1,000 deductible, and that it would be better for the district to pay the additional $1,000 than to pay the higher premiums.
Humiston-Scott wasn't pleased.
"When is enough, enough?" she asked.
Other board members disagreed.
"These are professional people," said Wesley Rivera. "I think to ask them to put part of their salary to insurance is an insult."
In brief ...
Cathy Epps, Mancos Elementary School principal, reported that the elementary school has enrolled six new students and will likely get two more after Christmas break.
Secondary principal Adam Priestly announced that there will be an open house for the secondary schools on Jan. 21 and students are raising money for a child experiencing kidney failure. Priestly reported that fellow students have been giving spare change for the drive.
Marie Dela Cruz, student council president, reported that the toy drive is going well, but that the student council is about 100 toys short of their goal of 250 toys. There are toy drive boxes at Walmart, P&D and at the school district.
