Non-Traditional BOE Meeting Results in
‘Hero Pay’ for Employees
Based on Governor Andy Beshear’s recommendation, the Lawrence County School System began to expand its non-traditional instruction (NTI) practices to facilitate learning during the COVID19 pandemic that has impacted classrooms around the world. In-class instruction ended on March 16th in Kentucky, and NTI/Google Classroom days became the norm. Fortunately, our students were already experts in NTI, which made our transition a little easier.
Other “non-traditional” practices were implemented as a result of the COVID19 closures. One large change came in the food service program. Since students were no longer allowed in our school buildings, our school food service program began to offer a “drive-up” service and a “bus-delivery” service that allowed our cooks, instructional assistants, bus drivers, FYRSC personnel, bus monitors, janitors, and other classified employees to serve food to any child, 18 years old or younger. The number of meals served per day has steadily increased, and we are currently serving approximately 4000 meals per day. To many people across Lawrence County, these employees have been viewed as heroes because of their hard work and sacrifice to make sure children are fed. Of course, there are worries for health and safety, but employees have not complained. As a matter of fact, classified employees have done other special acts (such as messages on bags, candy in plastic Easter eggs, etc.) to let children know they are loved.
During a “non-traditional” Lawrence County Board of Education Special Meeting that was broadcasted on YouTube, board members recognized employees for their service. Since employees are risking their own health to feed children, the Board voted to include pay for each person that is working in food service. Throughout the NTI/COVID19 closure period (beginning March 16th), each employee working in food service (preparation, packing, and delivery) is receiving an $8 per hour increase in their hourly rate of pay. This extra duty service pay has been officially called “Hero Pay” in appreciation for those working to feed students during this time. The Board of Education and kids of Lawrence County definitely appreciate these heroes for being ALL IN LC!
NOTE: If you would like for your child to participate in the school feeding program, please call the school nearest you. Our heroes would be honored to serve your child, also!
A big thank you to all our school system personnel that are making sure our kids have food to eat! Great job! They deserve hero pay!
just thinking who is going to pay for all this money
You’re Kag!
It’s actually not costing that much more. Busses run same routes but only once a day not two and they feed these kids at school anyway. I don’t have kids in school now but have great grandchildren and I appreciate the food program.
Love & appreciation for all the school employees that are going the extra mile!!
KAG dont worry about it, you already have. Just see something positive in a bad situation. I bet your a blast at all the parties you go to. And by the way, I dont hide behind a fake screen name.
Great news, for all the employees well deserved for what their doing.
This is awesome!!! Thank you to all of the heroes out there during this trying time. God bless each of you as well as the children you are caring form.
Thats awesome!! They all totally deserve it!!!
Thank you all and God Bless!!!
I wonder why pay isnt higher during normal days if they have the funds to do it now. Don’t get me wrong i am tickled to death for theses workers and they deserve so much more.
they are having a hard time right now the trees can’t grow fast enough because of the government printing all of this money this fiscal year the debt will be between 3 and 4 trillion dollars and yes your children and grandchildren will be paying for this
Good point KAG. I agree. But take that c*ck out if your mouth long enough to realize that this isn’t a drop in the bucket. And these people deserve it. The take away I get from the article is how many in the county that can’t feed themselves. That seems more important to me.
first I would have to move your head out of the way
now you either are not paying any taxes or benefiting from the extra pay
since we was in the best economy in the history of our country there shouldn’t be as much hunger or maybe we have been lied to I believe the latter
Where’s the 6 feet distance in those pictures??
Thank you for all the hard work you all are doing. Everyday we pick up the meals, you always have a smile on your face. My little boy thought it was “awesome “ when you put the jokes on the bags. Unless you work in food prep you don’t know how hard the job is. You will be rewarded greatly for your service. My babysitter had the kids make cards for the workers to show their appreciation for caring and providing the meals. Yes, you are truly hero’s in my book. God bless you and protect you!
When all this is over it wouldn’t hurt for the board to leave in place at least half of that $8 an hour as a pay raise for the grossly underpaid classified staff whom have always got the short end of the stick in terms of pay. Remember folks, there are 20 and 30 year employees that are making a little over $10 per hour, and these are the ones on the frontlines day in and day out.
Thank you for the awesome job you’ve been doing. God Bless you
4000 students. Not 1 adult should complain about one cent that is spent to feed a child. What do these kids do in the summer months? I’m sure most go without, praying for that 1st day of school for hot breakfast and lunch. This state needs to do more for feeding these kids during the summer. No, dont give parents more money. Establish programs like the school bus meals on wheels that are currently in place. Before you complain look at the number served.
Most schools do a summer program here. There are also other organization that do summer feeding programs. My ministry does one here in Blaine. We go pick up the kids feed them and they either play or have craft time. Then we return them home. We have the kids about 3-4 hours total a day. I am worried yesterday Andy Beashur said we would more than likely not be able to do these programs this year.They sure are a lot of kids that benefit from these types of programs.
Well-deserved pay raise for some great workers! They truly are heroes for our kids!