Chalkbeat: IPS to spend $15M on retention bonuses, more flexibility for teachers
American Rescue Plan: How It Benefits You
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated how President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan is creating a better future for Indianapolis Public Schools. Thanks to Indiana Democrats like U.S. Congressman André Carson, IPS announced it will use $15 million of its Rescue Plan dollars to help retain educators in the school system. This will be accomplished by issuing attendance-based bonuses, providing virtual mental health services, and implementing a new program aimed at giving teachers flexibility during their workday.
Indiana Democrats delivered this brighter future for teachers, and these investments will help combat the D+ rating the state’s education system earned under the Indiana Republican Party.
In contrast, the Indiana Republican Party said “NO” this brighter future. Politicians like U.S. Senator Todd Young voted “NO” on these investments, and in fact, Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer called teacher bonuses “socialism” – claiming this opposition was a “great campaign to run on”. Democrats will highlight the Indiana GOP’s “NO” record and their divisive culture wars throughout the 2022 campaign year and beyond.
Here’s a look at how the American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for the Hoosier State:
Chalkbeat: IPS to spend $15M on retention bonuses, more flexibility for teachers
Indianapolis Public Schools plans to spend $14 million in federal emergency funds on cash bonuses to reward staff who stay with the district, officials announced last week.
IPS has also earmarked another $1 million for two additional retention initiatives, including virtual mental health therapy for staff and their families, and a new pilot program to give teachers more flexibility in their workday schedules.
The purpose is to bolster hiring and retention as schools enter their third year of grappling with the pandemic. […]
About 3,200 full-time staff are eligible for the cash bonuses, which are based on attendance. For the remainder of the spring semester, they must miss no more than two days, according to the district.
Spring bonuses of $1,000 will be paid out in the fall, and fall bonuses of $1,500 will be paid out in the spring of 2023. The program will repeat in the spring and fall the following year, paid for using money from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund.
The pilot program to give teachers more flexibility with their schedules is rolling out in two yet-to-be-identified schools this fall, with details still to be determined.
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