Wausau School District. MWC file photo.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Board of Education voted unanimously to give all staff from top-level administrators down to custodians and other support staff a year-end bonus as a way of saying thank you for the extra work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s recognition, appreciation for the extra efforts exhibited by every staff person without exception,” said Superintendent Keith Hilts.
He worked with the district’s financial team to settle on a solution that he called meaningful and equitable. “Meeting the level of responsibility. So where we settled was a combination of a flat stipend in conjunction with a percentage.”
Every employee will receive a base bonus of $100, plus 1.25% of their base salary. That means for an employee making $30,000 annually; they would receive $475 ($100+$375).
Superintendent Hilts had originally not included himself in the bonus pool but board President Pat McKee insisted that he receive a check just like everyone else.
“As a board, and as your CEO; I wrote this as an appreciation for every staff person in the district,” said Hilts. “I am not including myself in this proposal.”
“I would offer an amendment that you be included,” responded McKee. “Everything that you said applies to everybody. This isn’t about you, I get that. But it certainly does apply.”
The measure passed the board on a voice vote. Board Member Lance Trollop excused himself from the discussion and vote, as he does for all compensation-related discussions.
Bonus checks will likely be distributed before year’s end. It was not immediately clear where the money for the checks would come from, but according to materials distributed by the district before Monday’s meeting, the grand total of all the bonus checks comes out to about $1 million.
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