Schools continue sick-leave incentive pay: ; Thaw says it's an 'obscenity' to compensate people for coming to work

The Kanawha County school board has voted to continue giving itsemployees cash incentives for using little or no sick leave eventhough the first round of payouts will cost the system a projected$471,000 more than has been saved in substitute pay.

Only one board member, Pete Thaw, voted against continuing thepolicy, which was started on a trial basis this school year.

"I don't like it at all," he said. "I think this is an obscenityto pay people to come to work. This is costing the taxpayers ofKanawha County."

Thaw was the only board member to vote against the measure duringa school board meeting Monday night.

Just how much the policy will cost this year …