BAY MINETTE – Baldwin County school system employees will receive a $1,000 supplement on Dec. 18 in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Baldwin County Board of Education voted Tuesday, Dec. 8 to approve the supplements at a cost of about $4.21 million. Superintendent of Education Eddie Tyler asked that all full-time employees except him receive the bonus.
“I have said over and over how much I appreciate each and every one of you,” Tyler said in an email to employees Tuesday night. “What you do for this system, and the more than 30,000 children we care for, is a monumental task each year. This last year has been well beyond anything anyone could ask of you. While I would like to celebrate the closing of 2020, I fully expect the next year is going to be much of the same.”
Tyler said at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday that the system’s more than 4,000 employees worked since the coronavirus was first reported early in 2020 to hold down the spread of the disease, switch to distance learning and prepare schools for reopening.
He thanked the board for approving the supplement.
“This board is special. What we just did, what y’all just did,” Tyler said. “I’m excited. This will make somebody’s Christmas.”
Board President JaNay Dawson praised Tyler and Chief Financial Officer John Wilson for finding the money in the budget for the supplements.
“This is a wonderful opportunity that we’re able to do this and I know that all of the employees out there will be so happy,” Dawson said.
Jesse McDaniel, Alabama Education Association district representative, said the money and recognition will mean a great deal to workers.
“Tonight the AEA extends a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Superintendent Eddie Tyler and the Board of Education for recognizing the dedicated employees in the Baldwin County public schools,” McDaniel said. “This $1,000 bonus will make a real difference in the lives of these employees right here at Christmas time. These teachers, bus drivers, nurses, custodians, class aides, cafeteria workers, and office staff have literally put their own lives at risk in order to provide an essential service to the community. Their sacrifices have allowed our students a sense of normalcy during these extraordinary times. AEA appreciates this important gesture so much. It means a lot.”
