Teachers at Benton Harbor Area Schools will get retention bonuses at the end of the school year following action Monday by the board of education. Superintendent Andrae Townsel tells WSJM News it was time to reward teachers after some difficult years.
“We’re looking to give teachers up to $1,000 by the end of this academic year to make it to the end of the year, and we’re also going to revisit what it looks like giving teachers retention bonuses at the beginning of the academic year,” Townsel said. “So, this is not a one time only, this is an opportunity to see if it can be a regular occurrence.”
Townsel says it feels good to be able to reward teachers.
“That’s what hard work and dedication means, and everyone working on the same page. That’s what happens when you’re on the same page working together. Great board of education, great administrators, great teachers, great students, great parents. It all works out.”
The retention bonuses approved this week follow a pay increase given to teachers in December. Townsel says the administration and board have a good relationship with the teachers union and he’s glad they worked out the bonuses.
