Howard County Teachers Among Recipients of State Merit Pay Bonuses

Teachers in Howard County are among the thousands across Arkansas being recognized for their performance through the LEARNS Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program.

In the Nashville School District, 19.2% of teachers qualified for bonuses, earning an average of $3,043. In nearby Dierks, 4.3% of educators received awards, with the average bonus totaling $2,500.

These awards are part of a statewide effort under the LEARNS Act to reward teachers who demonstrate outstanding performance in student growth, mentorship, or service in high-need subjects. The 2024–2025 cycle includes more than 4,200 teachers statewide, up from 3,000 the previous year.

Other Southwest Arkansas school districts seeing teachers qualify include:

• Foreman School District – 31.6% of teachers qualified, averaging $4,125.
• De Queen School District – 17.6% qualified, with an average of $3,597.
• Horatio School District – 16.1% qualified, with bonuses averaging $3,100.
• Cossatot River School District – 12.8% qualified, averaging $3,400.
• Ashdown School District – 5.8% qualified, with an average bonus of $2,417.

Bonuses range up to $10,000 and are determined by criteria such as student performance improvement, leadership roles, and teaching in high-demand subjects. Over 800 teachers in Arkansas will receive awards of more than $5,000, including more than 70 receiving the maximum amount.

The Merit Incentive Fund is one of several teacher-focused reforms included in the LEARNS Act, which also increased the state’s minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000.