Teachers, support personnel and other employees in Jeff Davis Parish public schools could soon be receiving a one-time pay supplement ahead of a state pay raise for teachers.

The School Board’s finance and salary committee voted Tuesday to approve a recommendation from Superintendent John Hall to give $1,500 to all certified employees $1,500, including teachers, principals, counselors and supervisors. Support personnel, including custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and clerical aides will receive $1,000.

The one-time supplements are expected to cost the board about $1.4 million, but the committee recommendation must first be accepted by the full board at 6 p.m. Thursday.

During discussions, the committee agreed to approve Hall’s recommendation to provide for the one-time pay supplement using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II and III funds, pending approval from the Louisiana Department of Education. The money was awarded to help schools with challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic.

If approved, the supplements could be issued to more than 850 district employees by Sept. 30, Hall said.

“I think it’s great,” Finance Committee Chairman Phillip Arceneaux said after the meeting. “Everybody needs a little Christmas gift even before December.”

Employees are also slated to receive state funded stipends in November.

Under the plan, all certified employees will receive $2,000 with support personnel receiving $1,000.

The School Board will have to pay for pre-kindergarten supplements which are not funded by the state.

Board Member Summer Lejeune said employees are excited to receive the well-deserved pay supplements.

“I’ve been hearing them asking about it a lot, so I know it means a lot to them,” she said. “To me they deserve it. I wish we could give them more.”

The supplements would be subject to all required employee deductions including retirement and income tax withholding.