In an effort to stay competitive in the marketplace, the Kingfisher Board of Education dedicated nearly $600,000 toward teacher stipends at its most recent meeting.

Board members at their April regular meeting last Monday unanimously approved a pair of different stipends for teachers currently on staff.

One stipend – termed for professional development – was for $1,625 per full-time staff member. Part-time staff members will receive 3/7 – about $700 - as a stipend.

While not always economically feasible to give annual raises across the board, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Craig told members during discussion that stipends can be an alternative.

“If you designate raises, you have to do that every year and the money may not always be there,” he said.

“With stipends, it’s something we can offer, but we aren’t obligated to do it if the money isn’t there.”

Earlier in the meeting, Craig offered another glowing financial report as the district currently has more than $10.9 million in the general fund.

That’s the most ever for an April report (which covers through the end of March), he said. It’s the second largest monthly amount only to last month’s $11.2 million.

The cost to the district for the professional development stipend will be about $390,000.

“This is a way for us to stay competitive with surrounding districts and reward our staff for their hard work,” Craig told the Times & Free Press.

This is the second stipend provided to teachers this school year. They were also awarded a $1,625 stipend in October 2021.

The board took it a step further in its next move when it approved a “longevity stipend” for all personnel.

That stipend provides $100 to each employee per year they’ve served the district. The total cost of that stipend is expected to be around $200,000.

While most districts in the surrounding area have been providing regular stipends to teachers, Craig said not a lot offer the longevity stipend.

“And I don’t believe we’ve ever offered that before, so that’s something new,” Craig said.

“Hopefully it’s a way to reward our staff for staying with KPS.”

Both stipends are expected to be paid to employees by the end of this month.