Liberal School Board Approves Longevity Stipend

The USD 480 school board met Monday night and approved a longevity stipend. The money is for any certified 480 employee and is intended to keep the district’s employees in Liberal longer. For employees in the district from five to nine years, they will receive 300 dollars each year. 10-14 years and an employee receives 700 dollars, 15-19 years receives 1200 dollars, and 20 or more years in the district receives 2000 dollars. The teachers union voted for this measure 284-9 on May 21 and the school board unanimously approved it last night. Teachers also will receive a raise this year to their base salaries at 268 dollars per year. USD 480 administrators will receive a 2.8 percent pay raise which costs the district 61,748 dollars. The board also approved insurance for property liability and workman’s comp from EMC for 644,672 dollars.