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4.D • Action ItemsOVERTON ISD (Rusk County)

Consideration and possible approval authorizing the retroactive application of the district’s bereavement leave policy for employees who experienced the loss of an immediate family member during the 2025–2026 school year prior to the policy’s adoption. Description: Rationale: At the April Board Meeting, the Board approved a revision to local policy providing up to three days of paid bereavement le

Presented in: OVERTON ISD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting on 2026-05-11
Meeting Agenda PDF

Official Roll-Call Vote

Expands Gov't • 2.5/10 Impact Weight
PASSED (7 - 0)
“Action on Consideration and possible approval authorizing the retroactive application of the district’s bereavement leave policy for employees who experienced the loss of an immediate family member during the 2”
MD
Maryleigh Dike
Trustee, Place 5 (Place 5)
YES
HF
Haylee Finley
Trustee, Place 6 (Place 6)
YES
SM
Scotty Moore
Trustee, Place 7 (Place 7)
YES
SM
Shane Mccasland
Trustee, Place 1 (Place 1)
YES
MR
Mike Rogers
Trustee, Place 2 (Place 2)
YES
PR
Pam Raney
Trustee, Place 3 (Place 3)
YES
SS
Sarah Stuart
Trustee, Place 4 (Place 4)
YES

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

4.D. Consideration and possible approval authorizing the retroactive application of the district’s bereavement leave policy for employees who experienced the loss of an immediate family member during the 2025–2026 school year prior to the policy’s adoption. Description: Rationale: At the April Board Meeting, the Board approved a revision to local policy providing up to three days of paid bereavement leave for employees upon the death of an immediate family member. This policy reflects the district’s commitment to supporting staff during times of personal loss. Since adoption, one employee has experienced the loss of an immediate family member and is eligible to receive the three days of bereavement leave under the current policy. However, two additional employees—one who lost her spouse and another who lost her mother—experienced similar losses earlier in the current school year, prior to the policy’s approval. Under the current policy language, there is no provision for retroactive application or superintendent discretion to extend this benefit in those cases. Administration is recommending that the Board consider authorizing a one-time, limited retroactive application of the bereavement leave policy for those employees who experienced the loss of an immediate family member during the 2025-2026 school year prior to the policy’s adoption. This recommendation is made in order to: Ensure equitable treatment of employees who experienced similar losses within the same school year Align implementation with the Board’s intent in adopting the bereavement leave policy Demonstrate care and support for employees during times of significant personal hardship This action would be: Limited in scope to employees who experienced the loss of an immediate family member during the current school year prior to policy adoption Consistent with the definitions and parameters outlined in the adopted policy A one-time authorization , not establishing an ongoing retroactive practice There is no anticipated significant financial impact beyond the limited number of days associated with this action. Administration Recommendation: Administration recommends approval of a one-time authorization for the retroactive application of the bereavement leave policy as described above.

Bastiat Liberty & Property Rights Analysis

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.5/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).