LOW MOOR — The Alleghany Highlands School Board has approved a one-time bonus to express its appreciation for school division employees.
The bonus payments were approved by the school board during an Oct. 16, 2023, meeting. The bonus plan includes classified and certified employees who are full-time or part-time. Full-time employees will receive $2,000, and part-time employees will receive $1,000. To qualify, an employee must be employed by Alleghany Highlands Public Schools on Dec. 1, 2023.
The school board approved the bonuses to recognize the hard work of its employees through the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their commitment to making the recent consolidation of schools in the Alleghany Highlands work for the betterment of students. It is important to note that the funds used for the one-time bonus are federal funds that must be used to support improving learning loss. The board has chosen to encourage the AHPS staff for their specific efforts to keep schools operating efficiently and effectively for learning.
The AHPS Division was formed on July 1, 2022, when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center merged. AHPS schools became fully consolidated at the start of the 2023-2024 school year in August. Teachers and employees worked as a team to make the transition go smoothly.
“As a school board we are excited to be able to reward our valuable employees with a token of our appreciation that was made possible by federal dollars. Our employees have the important job of educating the future of the Alleghany Highlands and this is just a small token of our appreciation for the wonderful work that they do,” said Jacob Wright, AHPS Board chair.
Money for the bonuses will come from funds provided by the federal American Recovery Plan Act and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER). Both federal funding sources are linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects. Federal guidelines allow for a portion of the money to be used for workforce stabilization and require a portion to be used to address student learning loss. AHPS, like other school divisions across the nation, has encountered problems in filling vacant essential positions. The bonuses will cost $1,020,522 and they will help AHPS retain valuable employees and address learning loss associated with the pandemic. The specific funds used for the bonuses cannot be used for maintenance or similar costs.
“It is simply wonderful that we are able to recognize the AHPS staff with these bonuses that recognize their commitment to helping students catch up on key skills,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS. “We hope these dollars will be especially helpful during the holiday season and very much appreciate the school board’s decision.”
Part-time employees are included in the bonus plan, but substitutes are in a different employment category and they will not receive a bonus.
AHPS is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. The school division serves approximately 2,700 students. AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools, on Instagram at ahpublicschools, and the division website www.ahps.k12.va.us.