Employees who have been with the Gasconade County R-2 School District for more than five years will begin receiving longevity stipends in the 2026-27 school year. The new benefit is a $159,892.35 cost increase which brings the total to $205,123.80 for the district’s longevity stipend.

Superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy, on Dec. 15, presented a chart outlining the stipend for certified and classified employees by years of service, stipend, and the corresponding increase to the budget.

“The recommendation is both for certified and classified employees,” Hardy said.

Board Member Kari Nolting, a former district teacher, asked Hardy for clarification that the longevity stipend is for teachers who have been employed by the Gasconade County R-2 School District for the specified number of years, not just a teacher for that long.

“Yes, that’s 15 years in our district,” Hardy said. “We give everyone their years for prior experience in other districts when considering their steps, but the longevity is for being here.”

Nolting also asked about teachers who leave the district and return years later.

“Do they still have their eight years, and then they leave for three, and then they come back?” She asked. “Are we just counting longevity with eight, and we just keep adding on?”

Hardy confirmed that the district would count the previous experience for former teachers who return to the district.

“Teachers that come on a waiver or critical shortage, we give them the years they had in the district,” Hardy said. “So I would.”

Board President Glenn Ely felt the longevity stipend supports board goals to retain teachers and staff.

“This is an area of opportunity or weakness that aligns perfectly with our board goals, ‘attracting, retaining highly qualified staff.’ That’s what the discussions have been built on,” Ely said. “It’s something that we’ve looked at as a board for a number of years.”

Ely opened the discussion for board questions or comments.

Those who have been with the district five years or less, about 127 employees, would not receive a longevity stipend.

The district has 58 employees who fall within the six-to-10-year service range and are eligible for a $500 stipend. According to the chart, it would add $29,000 to the budget.

Another 43 employees have 11 to 15 years with the district, and are eligible for a $1,000 stipend, which adds $43,000 to the budget.

For those 18 employees who have been in the district for 16 to 20 years, officials proposed a $1,500 stipend, which adds $27,000 to the budget.

An impressive 39.5 employees have been employed with the district for 21 years or more. This group previously received a $1,000 each, or $39,500, with $5,731.45 in benefits, for a $45,231.45 total. They are now eligible for a $2,000 stipend under the new policy, which adds $79,000 to the budget.

Director Jenni Crosby made a motion to approve the proposed longevity stipend and Member Jason Crowe seconded. The motion passed with a 6-0 vote.

The district is expecting a $163,500 overall increase to the employees’ salary category, including $27,123.80 in benefits, for a total increase of $205,123.80 once implemented.