CMS overpaid more than 300 teachers for COVID duty. Now it’s docking their paychecks.
A district error on COVID-19 stipends means 319 teachers who work in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will have $750 taken out of a November paycheck.
The bonus was provided for teachers and other school-based licensed staff who took on additional responsibilities in response to the pandemic during the 2020-21 school year. More than 10,000 employees received the $750 stipend in June.
A member of the district’s communications team told the Observer on Friday that 319 employees received an overpayment of the COVID-19 stipend on June 30 because officials who were uploading spreadsheets entered those employees twice.
Teachers who were erroneously paid $1,500 in June instead of the one payment were notified Thursday via email from district payroll that $750 will be deducted. WFAE first reported the problem.
State statute requires CMS to recoup overpayments to employees regardless of the cause of the overpayment, the district said.
“While we understand that making repayment can be a financial hardship for employees, we are required to recoup the funds and, if necessary, can recoup against future earnings,” the district statement reads. “Employees may reach out to the payroll department with questions or to request recoupment over multiple pay periods, if needed.”
