‘We are burning out.’ New bonuses approved for Durham teachers, other school workers
The Durham school board will use federal COVID relief money to give employees new bonuses, after public school workers petitioned for more financial support.
The board unanimously agreed Thursday night to provide two additional retention bonuses for about 4,900 full- and part-time staff members.
Chief Finance Office Paul LeSieur said the $1,500 bonuses will be distributed from federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II and III COVID relief budgets in March and October.
Combined with a retention bonus paid in November 2021, full time staff will get a total of $4,538.50 over the 2021-22 school year.
The bonuses for part-time employees will be prorated.
The Durham Association of Educators collected signatures on a recent petition from staff across 26 schools seeking more support.
“We are responsible for our students from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave, with no breaks. This year we are burning out in droves because we aren’t getting enough support,” teacher Earl Williams said. “I love my students, but it’s too much.”
This petition requested the following:
▪ Keep the educators we have: A $5,000 cost of living/retention bonus for all district employees, after taxes.
▪ Give us time to do our jobs successfully: One additional meeting-free planning day for each month remaining in this school year (March, April, and May)
▪ Plan for COVID-related short-staffing: Set a rule that a school will move to remote learning if a significant number of staff members are absent in one day.
▪ Prioritize recruitment of subs and volunteers ASAP: Streamline the process for approving new subs and volunteers; support and empower schools to recruit help.
“This budget adjustment allows us to show additional support to our employees for their tenacity,” Superintendent Pascal Mubenga said. “We appreciate their commitment and want them to know that we care about their livelihoods as well as maintaining healthy work environments.”
Board Chair Bettina Umstead also said the bonuses are a worthwhile investment.
“I want our educators to hear that we as a board value you, your work, and how you show up every day for the students of this district,” she said.
DAE President Michelle Burton said the board’s decision was a start.
“What they voted on last night was a big step in the right direction, but one of the things that we really need our school board to do is push for salary increase with our County Commissioners for our certified and classified staff, and focus on getting more quality subs because people are just leaving,” Burton said.
“We have to get more money in our educators’ hands so we can retain our staff,” she added.
This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 3:41 PM.