Two years ago, the Bryan school board implemented a teacher pay incentive plan called BEST, an acronym that stands for Bryan's Excellence for Students and Teachers.

The Bryan school board's discussion of the 2018-19 school year budget on June 21 included the future of the BEST plan. A total elimination would save the district $1.5 million dollars.

Board president Mark McCall called for a detailed review, while member David Stasny said they were facing either funding BEST or overall pay increases.

Administrators pointed out one of the teacher incentives, staying in the classroom, is not working. The year before the bonus started, Bryan ISD paid $905,000 dollars for substitute teachers. For the just completed school year, the district paid $898,000.

Superintendent Christie Whitbeck said more teachers told her they were against the attendance incentive because of family obligations they can't control that causes teachers to be absent.

The Spreaker audio includes comments from BISD board president Mark McCall, members Ruthie Waller, David Stasny and Doug Wunneburger, and superintendent Christie Whitbeck.