ALPENA — The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education approved a performance-based pay system for 2018-19.

“It’s working to continually improve the system and, in a way that not only motivates staff for going above and beyond their duties and fulfilling their responsibilities that align within our mission and our work, but also to acknowledge a job well done,” Superintendent Scott Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the board approved a system that needed some fine-tuning before approval, and gave a little more concrete target for staff to work toward to fulfill requirements.

There were changes proposed to the board from Reynolds and other administration staff members. One change was to establish a new process for implementation of performance based pay, based upon an evaluation rating of “effective” or “highly effective” and collection of merit points.

Staff can submit approval for points monthly, based on an administration-approved list of qualifying activities. Reynolds said some qualifying activities include making a presentation at a local board meeting, participating or leading a local or statewide committee, and more.

“We’re still fine-tuning what that list is going to look like,” Reynolds said. “We recognize that, while we’re developing a list, we also need to have enough flexibility for some tasks, ideas that haven’t yet been realized that those can be recommended and considered as well.”

Reynolds said performance-based pay promotes professionalism, high achievement, personal growth, continuous improvement, and establishes a system that minimizes any perception of bias.

Staff can submit a request for consideration of any unlisted activity for administrative review and staff will receive a mid-year review to confirm approved accumulated points.

The performance-based pay changes apply to all work groups, excluding Reynolds and regional positions.

The board also approved hiring Shannon Robin and Audrie Spicer as new professional staff and Nikole Geno and Jamisa Zbytowski as new paraprofessional staff for Pied Piper School.