All staff had

certain pre-arranged objectives to complete in order to qualify for the

award. The money will be awarded to staff members who completed the objectives

and were employed for the 1999-2000 school year, based on the following

percentages: certified staff 79.5 percent, or about $1,600 per full-time

employee; instructional parapros 13.5 percent, or $870 each; office/clerical

2.5 percent ($680 each); full-time custodians .5 percent ($180 each);

cafeteria staff 1 percent ($180 each).

In addition,

the committee decided to allocate 3 percent ($3,000) to purchase something

for the school that would benefit everyone.

"We don't

know when the check will arrive from the state," Maddox told her

staff during a celebration to announce the awards. "As soon as it

does the exact amounts will be determined. Each eligible staff member

will receive a personal check, or checks if the money is received in parts,

for that amount."

Lynda Lambeth,

who was principal of Huddleston last year and could take a great deal

of credit for the award, joined the festivities to read the letter from

the state. She drew whoops and hollers from the staff when she read the

line that informed them that they had successfully completed the program.

Maddox, in

her first year as principal at Huddleston, told her staff that she was

proud of their accomplishment. "I knew I was inheriting a professional

staff with a great deal of pride in their accomplishments and their work,"

she said. "This money is a tangible sign that your work has been

recognized and rewarded."