School workers in the Muscle Shoals region will be seeing a bit more money in their pockets soon.
Muscle Shoals City Schools Superintendent Brian Lindsey says the school board tacked on an additional 3 percent local raise to a 4 percent state-mandated raise approved by lawmakers earlier this year. School finance officer Sarita Tapscott says the raises will cost the school system around $850,000.
School board president Clayton Wood says part of the reasoning behind the additional raise is a controversial set of rate hikes for public school employees’ health insurance. The Alabama Education Association argues those rate increases will all but negate most teachers’ state-mandated raises.
The TimesDaily of Florence reports the Muscle Shoals raises will take effect at the beginning of each employee’s contract year. That’s typically in July for administrative staff and in August for teachers.
Those without dental insurance have the opportunity to get some basic dental work done today. APR student reporter Meagan Mowery has more on the program.
Total Dental Care in Guntersville is offering the chance for basic dental care for those without insurance. Dentists will see anyone ages nineteen and up. Doctor Chris Harper says it’s a good idea to get there early.
“It’s going to be first come, first served. Usually, people start arriving around 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. We officially start at 7:00, but usually if you show up at 7:00 it’s going to be too late.”
Harper says they hope to see around one hundred patients. Participants must bring two canned goods to receive dental care. The food will be donated to a local food bank. Services include free extractions, cleanings, and fillings.
Former Alabama football heroes are coming back home for camp.
Current NFL players are heading off on summer vacation and a number of athletes are coming to Alabama to work with school kids. Players like Oxford native Kwon Alexander and former Alabama star CJ Mosely plan to spend an afternoon teaching kids about the game they love.
USA Football spokesman Steve Alec says kids can expect these NFL stars to teach them the proper way to play the game.
“This is where the basics of catching and passing and running with the football and the fundamentals of the sport are discussed. The big picture with these clinics in addition to having a fun day is to help establish a healthy active lifestyle.”
Alec says kids will also learn the proper way to exercise while having fun playing sports. Camp information and locations can be found at USA Football’s website.