DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Educators at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School could earn up to $12,000 in supplemental pay under a new performance-based incentive program approved by the Dothan City Board of Education.
According to Dothan City Schools, the board approved the Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School Turnaround Incentive Program on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The one-year program will apply to the 2026-27 performance year.
The district said the program is designed to reward eligible educators for measurable student achievement and academic growth while also encouraging employee attendance, instructional continuity and staff retention.
“This program is an investment in our students and in the educators who take on the important work happening at Jerry Lee Faine,” Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew said. “Strong, consistent instruction is essential to improving student outcomes. This gives us another tool to reward educators for that work while attracting and retaining talented teachers who want to make a meaningful difference for students.”
According to the district, eligible instructional employees can earn incentives based on verified student performance measures tied to their position, grade level and content area.
Measures include i-Ready Inform Reading and Mathematics growth for students in kindergarten through third grade, Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program proficiency and academic growth for applicable students in grades three through five.
Eligible general education, special education and gifted teachers could earn between $500 and $750 per student, per applicable content area, based on established achievement and growth benchmarks.
Instructional coaches and interventionists may also qualify for incentives based on applicable grade-level performance measures.
Eligible employees can earn an additional $500 attendance incentive by maintaining at least 90% attendance during the applicable 2026-27 employment period.
The maximum total incentive compensation is $12,000 per eligible employee for the performance year.
The new program is in addition to other incentives available to qualifying educators. Dothan City Schools currently offers a $3,000 hiring and retention bonus to eligible, fully certified teachers at Faine Elementary, Girard Elementary and Beverlye Intermediate.
The district also offers a $6,000 incentive to eligible, fully certified special education teachers throughout Dothan City Schools. Both of those incentives require a three-year employment agreement.
“We want educators to know there is an opportunity at Faine to be part of a team doing meaningful work and to be rewarded for the results of that work,” Askew said. “For educators who are ready to embrace that challenge and help students reach their full potential, we want them here.”
According to Dothan City Schools, the Alabama State Department of Education reviewed the Turnaround Incentive Program and supported the proposal contingent on local board approval and completion of appropriate legal review.
The program will be funded through available and allowable Governor’s Turnaround funding and will not create a permanent salary supplement or ongoing benefit.
Incentive awards will be calculated after the performance year using official student achievement, growth, instructional assignment and attendance data. Payments will be subject to final verification, program requirements and available funding.
Dothan City Schools said teaching positions are currently available at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School. Certified educators interested in learning more about available positions and financial incentives can contact Principal Marketa George at [email protected].
Image Source – Dothan City Schools
