Mayor Criticizes School Board For Flexing SRO Time

Bourbon council members on Tuesday discussed issues that have arose over School Resource Officer Amanda Rauss’ pay, including Mayor Danny Skaggs blasting the district for flexing her time.

Skaggs also threatened to tear up the next contract between the city and school board if it contains flex time.

“I told them I will tear your contract up and throw it in the trash,” he said.

The Bourbon School Board voted late last year to pay Rauss overtime for working during extra-curricular activities, such as basketball games. 

School board members also voted to flex Rauss’ hours for a school board meeting. If Rauss attended a board meeting that lasted for one hour, then she is to work one less hour the next day.

“It’s the stupidest thing (the school board) has ever done,” Skaggs said. “I was going to go to their meeting (Thursday). When that new contract comes through, no flex pay.”

Skaggs continued, saying that it comes out to roughly $35 a month through June. 

“Pay it,” he said. “She was hired to be at the school. If something happens between 8 to 10 a.m. because you all put her on flex, you are going to hear about it.”

Bourbon Police Chief Paul Satterfield said the disagreement over board meetings has been “contentious” at times and he has expressed his concerns. Satterfield said it got to the point where Rauss was going to be out of school more than in because of attendance at school activities.

City Clerk Cathy Bremer said Rauss had concerns about her pay when school is not in session. Rauss wanted to know what could be done since she had not been employed with the city long enough to collect sick pay or personal days. But Bremer informed the board that regardless if school was in session, Rauss would be getting paid.

Board members were surprised. Satterfield told the board he had wanted to bring Rauss in for training when school was not in session, but did not want to go over his budget. When school dismisses for the summer, Rauss will work regular duty as a police officer.