Lawmakers in Iowa have approved a new bill that would provide bonuses to teachers and staff in the rural district where a deadly school shooting took place earlier this year. The shooting, which occurred at a high school in Perry, Iowa, resulted in the death of a sixth-grader, the fatal injury of the school’s principal, and injuries to six others. The bill allows the school district to spend $700,000 of local tax dollars on bonuses for employees in the upcoming school year.
The shooting, which began in the cafeteria as students were gathering for breakfast, was carried out by a 17-year-old student who later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The bill was proposed in response to concerns about staff retention in the school district following the tragic shooting. Representative Carter Nordman, a Republican, noted that similar challenges have been faced by other schools dealing with similar tragedies. The bill is seen as a way for the Perry community to support and retain its teachers and staff in the aftermath of the shooting.
While acknowledging that no amount of money can change what happened, Nordman explained that the bill was a way for Perry to quickly and efficiently address the issue of staff retention. The bonuses will be allocated by the Perry school district, with all district employees being eligible, not just those at the high school or middle school where the shooting occurred. The goal is to show support for teachers and staff and encourage them to continue teaching in the community.
In addition to providing bonuses, the bill would also waive state requirements on the length of Perry’s school term. Following the shooting, classes at the middle and high schools were canceled for several weeks as the community mourned and the district addressed safety concerns. The bill is part of a broader effort to support the Perry community as they continue to recover from the trauma of the school shooting. It is hoped that the bonuses and other measures will help encourage teachers and staff to remain in the district.
Overall, the bill represents a local response to a national issue of school shootings and their impact on communities. By providing financial incentives and support to teachers and staff in the Perry school district, lawmakers are acknowledging the challenges faced by schools in the aftermath of such tragedies. The bill allows the community to express its gratitude and support for those who continue to serve in the wake of the shooting, while also addressing practical concerns such as staff retention and school term requirements.
