This new bill approved by lawmakers in Iowa allows the school district in Perry, where a deadly school shooting occurred earlier this year, to provide bonuses to teachers and staff if they don’t quit their jobs. The shooting, which took place on January 4 at the high school in Perry, resulted in the death of a sixth grader, fatally injured the high school principal, and injured six others. The bill permits the school district to use $700,000 of local tax dollars for these bonuses during the upcoming school year. The 17-year-old student who carried out the shooting, Dylan Butler, also died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
Representative Carter Nordman, a Republican, stated that officials from Perry and Iowa’s school board association brought up the issue of staff retention to lawmakers, a challenge that other schools facing similar tragedies have encountered. Nordman believes that this is a quick and efficient way to address staff retention in Perry, even though nothing can change what happened. The decision on how to allocate the bonuses will be up to Perry, as the bill specifies that any district employee is eligible for the bonuses, not just those working at the high school or middle school where the shooting occurred.
Nordman emphasized the importance of showing support to teachers in the aftermath of the tragic event. He hopes that providing these bonuses will convey to teachers that the community stands behind them and encourages them to stay in their roles. In addition to the bonuses, the bill also includes a waiver of state requirements on the length of Perry’s school term. After the shooting, classes were canceled at the middle and high schools, as well as the nearby elementary school for several weeks to allow the community to mourn and address safety concerns.
The new legislation signals an effort to recognize and support the educators who were affected by the school shooting in Perry. By allowing the school district to provide bonuses to teachers and staff, lawmakers hope to convey their appreciation for those who have continued to serve the community in the aftermath of the tragedy. The bill enables Perry to address the issue of staff retention locally and acknowledges the challenges that schools face in the wake of similar incidents. This measure represents a step towards healing and rebuilding the community after a devastating event.
In addition to the financial support provided through the bonuses, the bill also seeks to create a sense of solidarity and unity among teachers and staff in Perry. By waiving state requirements on the length of the school term, lawmakers are allowing the district flexibility in managing the aftermath of the shooting and prioritizing the well-being of the community. The decision to offer bonuses and adjust school term requirements reflects a commitment to supporting those affected by the tragedy and ensuring that the necessary resources are available to help them cope and recover.
Moving forward, the focus will be on facilitating a smooth transition for teachers and staff in Perry as they navigate the challenges stemming from the school shooting. The bill serves as a tangible way to show support and appreciation for the educators who have remained committed to their roles despite the traumatic events that occurred. By allocating funding for bonuses and providing flexibility in school term requirements, lawmakers aim to assist the community in moving forward and fostering a sense of resilience and unity in the wake of a tragedy that deeply impacted the school district and the entire Perry community.
