Speaking up has paid off for some Limestone County coaches and advisors. They will get paid for some of the unpaid days they put in during the year.

It will cost the county schools roughly $32,500.

Over some dissent, Limestone County school board members voted 6-1 on Tuesday to give seven extra days of pay to the varsity cheerleader advisor and the volleyball, softball and baseball coaches.

One board member thought the money should be used elsewhere.

“It’s not a matter of if they are putting in the time or whether they are doing their jobs,” said board member Bryant Moss. “I am sure they are worthy of additional compensation. But we are looking at a $100-million capital plan (for 2007-2011), and it doesn’t seem prudent to do this. We have two elementary schools in the capital plan that we have to figure out how to pay for.”

Earlier this summer, board members agreed to give 13 extra days of pay to the football coaches, varsity girls and boys basketball coaches and the band director. These coaches and advisors put in extra days beyond those required by their contracts. The estimated cost was roughly $65,000.

However, the action left other coaches and advisors who put in extra days feeling slighted. So, after consulting with high school principals, Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll asked the board to give seven days of extra pay to the other coaches and advisors.

Board member Earl Glaze also questioned the seven days of pay, but only because he didn’t think it was fair to pay some coaches and advisors for 13 additional days and others for only seven.

“I’ll support the seven days, but I would like to come back to this next year,” he said. “I think they are as worthy as others to get 13 days. I think they should work 13 across the board. I don’t think seven is fair.”

Board President Charles Shoulders questioned how the Carroll arrived at seven vs. 13 days.

Carroll explained that it was a compromise between paying 13 days or no days. He noted that most of the coaches put in more than seven days beyond what their contracts require and some put in more that 13 days.

Before the meeting Tuesday, board members viewed the new stadium bleachers at East Limestone High School and watched a special performance by the East Limestone High School marching band. The board approved a request by the band to perform in New York City during the week of Jan. 2 to 7. They will not miss any school days.

Board members adjourned to the gymnasium and watched a special performance by the junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders. The cheerleaders have been invited to perform in the upcoming Music City Bowl.

In other action Tuesday, board members voted unanimously to take the following action:

•Save $37,000 a year by switching from the current automobile insurance to State Farm for all school vehicles.

•Accept a $6,653 bid from Web Electronics for video equipment for all of the high schools.

•Seek bids on commercial washers and dryers for the high schools for use by various athletic teams. If approved, the larger washers and dryers would make the job of washing towels, practice clothes and uniforms easier for the coaches and others who do the job daily. Most schools wash practice clothes and towels daily to lower the risk of staphylococcus aureus or staph infections. Staph is easily transmitted in moist environments such as locker rooms and towels.

•Rescinded school policies on early graduation and block scheduling because middle and high school students will be changing from block scheduling to seven-period school days.