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The Dothan City Board of Education approved a new performance-based incentive program Tuesday, Sept. 22, that will provide eligible Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School educators the opportunity to earn up to $12,000 in supplemental compensation while supporting the school’s continued turnaround efforts. The Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School Turnaround Incentive Program is a one-year, results-driven supplemental compensation program for the 2026-2027 performance year intended to reward educators for measurable student achievement and academic growth while strengthening instructional continuity, employee attendance and staff retention at the school.

“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.”

Eligible instructional employees can earn incentives based on verified student performance measures associated with their position, grade level and content area. Measures include i-Ready Inform Reading and Mathematics growth for students in grades K-3, Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) proficiency, and academic growth for applicable students in grades 3-5. For eligible general education, special education and gifted teachers, performance incentives range from $500 to $750 per student, per applicable content area, based on established student achievement and growth benchmarks. Instructional coaches and interventionists may also earn incentives based on applicable grade-level performance measures. Eligible employees can earn an additional $500 attendance incentive by maintaining at least 90 percent attendance during the applicable 2026-2027 employment period. Altogether, the program establishes a maximum of $12,000 in total incentive compensation per eligible employee for the performance year.

The new program adds to other financial incentives currently available to qualifying educators at Faine, including a $3,000 hiring and retention bonus to eligible, fully certified teachers at Faine Elementary, Girard Elementary, and Beverlye Intermediate. DCS also offers a $6,000 incentive to eligible, fully certified special education teachers at all schools throughout the district. Both incentives require a three-year employment agreement. Dothan City Schools hopes the combination of performance-based compensation and existing incentives will help recruit and retain highly qualified educators who are prepared to contribute to Faine’s continued improvement.

“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.”

The Alabama State Department of Education reviewed the Turnaround Incentive Program and supported the proposal contingent upon local Board approval and completion of appropriate legal review. The program is funded through available and allowable Governor’s Turnaround funding and does not create a permanent salary supplement or ongoing benefit. Incentive awards will be calculated following the conclusion of the performance year using official student achievement, growth, instructional assignment and attendance data. Payments are subject to final verification, program requirements and available funding.

Dothan City Schools currently has teaching opportunities available at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School. Certified educators interested in learning more about available positions and financial incentives are encouraged to contact JLF Principal Ms. Marketa George at marketa.george@dothan.k12.al.us for additional information.

Dothan City Schools welcomes Courtney Starling as the district’s new K-12 Instructional Math Specialist. Starling was approved by the Dothan City Board of Education during its September 8 regular meeting.

George brings more than two decades of experience in K-12 education and educational leadership to DCS.

Inside the Pack highlights the many accomplishments, celebrations, and stories happening across Dothan City Schools!