With the first day of school less than a month away Joplin Schools Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday voted in favor of a vaccine incentive program for staff and teachers for this upcoming school year. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Monday August 23 is the first day of the 2021-2022 academic school year for many school districts throughout Southwest Missouri, including Joplin Schools. Prior to the start of the school year the district is working on getting as many teachers and staff vaccinated against Covid-19. On a 6 to 1 vote Tuesday evening, the board voted in favor of a $25 payment to all staff and teachers for showing proof that they have been vaccinated.

Board Member John Hird addressed fellow board members, “You step back and look at the arc and the psychology of this. First we leaned in on fear. Then we leaned in on shame. Now we’re leaning on bribing people. What are we going to do next?” The school board also voted in favor of 4 – $2,500 cash prizes to teachers and staff who have been vaccinated. Substitute teachers are eligible for the $25 dollar payment, although not eligible to enter the $2,500 Covid vaccine drawing.