Lamar CISD Surprises Staff with $500 Retention Stipend at Annual Convocation
In an unexpected gesture, Lamar Consolidated ISD surprised its entire staff with a retention stipend of $500 for the 2024-2025 school year. The announcement was made during Lamar CISD's annual Convocation, a celebratory event marking the commencement of the new academic year, held on August 7 at the Fort Bend County Epicenter.
This year's convocation, themed "The Urgency of NOW: No Obstacles Whatsoever," was attended by over 6,600 district employees. Attendees were treated to student performances, a presentation by special guest Jamie Vollmer, and an address from Lamar CISD Superintendent, Dr. Roosevelt Nivens.
The retention stipend came as a delightful surprise at the end of the event. The unprecedented move aimed to reflect the Board of Trustees' appreciation towards staff’s hard work and dedication. The stipend follows a series of raises unanimously approved by the board during the May Board Meeting, including a flat increase of $2,000 for teachers paid according to the Teacher Hiring Schedule.
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"Money doesn't fix everything, but it can go a long way," Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens said. He expressed his gratitude to both the Board of Trustees and the Payroll Department for making the distribution of the stipends possible.
The convocation also celebrated the 2023-2024 Principals of the Year, Melton Elementary Principal Laura Haugvoll, and Terry High School Principal Dr. Melissa Smith, who acted as the event’s emcees. Further, two schools were awarded by the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) for creating innovative learning environments. Gray Elementary and Hutchison Elementary were each given $10,000 to support their innovative educational initiatives planned for the upcoming year.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
