The DeKalb County Board of Education met last Thursday night and tabled a resolution to accept one-time teacher bonuses as part of Tennessee’s Universal School Voucher Program. The board voted 5-0 in favor, with members Megan Moore and Eric Ervin absent.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said the measure could still be brought back up by the board later. He said in the meantime; the school district will run the numbers and determine if the bonuses could be funded locally in the 2025-26 budget.

The state program uses public money to fund vouchers that families can spend on private education expenses. It also included a component that effectively gives educators $2,000 bonuses. While the program saw criticism from educators, advocates and some leaders across the state who said it moved money away from already-underfunded public schools, it passed the legislature during a special session in February.

As part of the program, school boards across the state need to pass a resolution effectively accepting the bonuses by June 1. The Tennessee Department of Education said the bonus payments are expected to be sent to districts in July, and for each bonus, districts will receive a total payment of $2,306.60 to cover the employer share of benefits.

The bonuses will be available to full-time teachers who spend most of their days with students and who have been employed for more than 120 days, according to the state.

Beth Pafford, Assistant Principal at Northside Elementary School and County Commissioner, spoke during the public comments section of the meeting.  

“You wouldn’t be having to pass a resolution to accept money for a $2,000 teacher bonus were it not for the universal voucher law,” said Pafford “What that law does is it creates a new government funded program for private schools. No accountability financially or academically. It was passed during a special session after several failed attempts during regular session. This time they added the $2,000 teacher bonus as a way to try to get more votes.”

“For all practical purposes Governor Bill Lee and the people who voted to support the universal voucher program have created two separate systems for education. One for the privileged with no accountability and another for everybody else with all kinds of accountability. I hope you as a school board will continue to support the idea that education is not just for privileged people. Education is for everyone no matter who you are or where you come from,” said Pafford.

In his monthly personnel report, Director Cripps stated that Stephanie Turner has been granted a leave of absence as requested.