$1,000 Teacher Treat: Maryland Educators Direct Stimulus Payments

Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland will be giving their employees an early Christmas present in the form of a bonus payment of $1,000, based on the report made by Jacob Baumgart on November 30, 2022, in Patch.

The payment, which has received the full backing of the board of education, will be prorated based on an employee’s full-time equivalent and will be sent to all permanent employees, except those on a leave of absence, by December 16^th.

According to Dr. Mark Bedell, Superintendent of Schools, the bonus is a small gesture of appreciation. He thinks it is important to say “thank you” to employees. Dr. Bedell wrote in a letter to AACPS staff that “no school system can be great without great people.” He believes that the work employees are doing, even with challenges, is incredible. He stated that no matter their role in the school system, the students benefit from their dedication and passion. He encouraged employees to not forget this.

The bonus payments will be funded from money saved from vacancies across the school district, so no additional funding is needed. However, Bedell will not be accepting the bonus himself.

In addition to the bonus payment, employees were also informed of a healthcare premium holiday on December 28^th, during which no healthcare premiums will be deducted from employee pay. This holiday is occurring due to the level of the school district’s healthcare fund balance.

According to Asher Notheis of the Washington Examiner, the board of education and school district administration value their employees and are showing their appreciation through the bonus payment and healthcare premium holiday. Bedell said it is important to continue finding ways to say “Thank you” to employees. It is heartwarming to see appreciation for the hardworking staff at Anne Arundel County Public School.