Framingham Public Schools has $1,000 thank you for those who worked during pandemic
FRAMINGHAM — Teachers, guidance counselors, librarians, bus drivers and other school employees can expect to see an extra boost in their paycheck this week.
The district is using federal funds to give school employees who have worked since the start of the pandemic, and are still employed by the Framingham Public Schools, a one-time lump sum bonus of $1,000.
Superintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay said staff rose to the occasion when "school had to be re-imagined in a matter of days" when COVID-19 disrupted schooling two years ago.
"Coordinated efforts by our staff were Herculean and impactful to our entire school community, including students and their caregivers who had to make education work from home," said Tremblay in a message to the Daily News. "This small gesture of appreciation is one way for us to say thank you for being amazing."
Staff who worked during the 2020-21 school year are eligible. If a staff member was hired midyear, their $1,000 payment will be prorated based on time worked during the year, according to Executive Director of Finance and Operations Lincoln Lynch IV.
The pay boost will be reflected in staff's May 27 paycheck.
School Committee members voted unanimously on the American Rescue Act Plan, which included the measure, during an Aug. 4, 2021 meeting.
In 2020 and 2021, Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. The American Rescue Act Plan, which allocated $195 billion in fiscal recovery funds directly to states, allows for premium pay for workers impacted by the pandemic.
States receive funds based on the same proportion that each state receives under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title-IA.
A $1.7 million line item in the district’s FY22-25 ESSSER III budget titled One Time Employment and Building Enhancements will cover the cost.
School Committee member Adam Freudberg was chairman when the vote passed. After reading the eligibility rules, he said providing extra pay to school employees "became a natural option to explore locally."
"The legislative intent of the Act approved by President Biden and Congress last year included provisions to help staff deal with the detrimental aspects of working during the health crisis, and authorized their eligibility to receive premium pay," said Freudberg.
Current Chairwoman Priscila Sousa could not be reached for comment.
The bonus applies to all staff — whether bargaining or not — as well as bus drivers, who are employed by the district’s vendor North Reading Transportation.
Zane Razzaq writes about education. Reach her at 508-626-3919 or zrazzaq@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham school workers, bus drivers will get $1,000 ARPA fund bonus
