Ozark School District adding benefits for part-time employees

The Ozark School District is adding a new incentive for part-time employees in an effort to improve attraction and retention.

The district's Board of Education on Oct. 24 unanimously approved a policy change that makes health insurance available for part-time employees who work at least 25 hours per week, according to a news release issued yesterday.

The change takes effect Jan. 1, largely impacting bus drivers and nutrition services employees. The district's transportation department has been short around 15 drivers this academic year, officials say.

“We're thankful to our Ozark school board for recognizing and responding to the need by approving the addition of health insurance for our part-time employees who are hired to work 25-30 hours a week,” said Philip Link, executive director of human resources for the district, in the release. “This addition not only opens up a whole new pool of candidates that we can attract, but also helps serve as a retention tool for our dedicated part-time staff.”

An information sheet included with the Ozark board's Oct. 24 agenda indicates the estimated annual cost for the health insurance initiative is $364,230 for 45 employees, $404,700 for 50 employees and $445,170 for 55 employees.

The board last week voted to approve two additional employment changes.

The board gave the green light to a modification of the salary schedule for certain positions in the transportation department, as well as added days to the bus trainer and dispatch positions. The release indicates the change would allow the district to train new bus drivers during the summer months.

The board also made a change, effective Dec. 1, that makes it to where non-exempt employees will earn overtime pay instead of accruing comp time, according to the release. Current employees with comp time balances can continue to use them.