Wake schools reassure employees they’ll be paid in March during coronavirus closures
The Wake County school system is reassuring employees that they’ll be paid and also providing more information about what will happen now that schools will be closed for two weeks due to the coronavirus.
Public schools in North Carolina are closed through March 30 as a result of an executive order signed Saturday by Gov. Roy Cooper. On Sunday, Wake emailed school employees to let them all know they will receive their March paychecks and employee benefits as normal.
In addition, Wake said that all school buildings will be closed Monday for the public, students and staff. But the district said online that principals will open all schools Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. so that staff and families can pick up any personal items.
Wake also said Sunday that additional information about coursework will be provided later in the week. It’s unclear when schools will reopen even after the executive order expires. Wake is North Carolina’s largest district with 161,907 students and 19,537 employees.
A long-term school closure raises many questions, including how school employees will be paid, how low-income students will be fed and how students can keep up with their schoolwork.
In the email to employees, the district said the situation is fluid and it will provide guidance on a daily basis. The district said it’s not possible to offer districtwide guidance for more than one or two days at a time.
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 4:01 PM.
