MCPS Staff to Receive Recruitment and Retention Incentive

The federal government and the Maryland State Department of Education have approved and authorized funding to provide all MCPS bargaining unit member employees with a recruitment and retention incentive. Employees who were bargaining unit members on Oct. 15, 2021, will receive a one-time payment of $1,100 in their Dec. 17, 2021, paychecks. Those hired after Oct. 15, 2021, but before Feb. 1, 2022, will receive a pro-rated incentive amount in their Feb. 25, 2022, paychecks.

The funding is part of Maryland’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant process. As announced earlier this year, negotiated agreements between the Board of Education (BOE) and employee associations included the incentives, contingent on federal and state authorization. Although the intention was to distribute the payment with the paycheck on Nov. 19, 2021, the appropriation (i.e., approval by the BOE and the County Council is required before MCPS can spend money) was approved by the BOE on Nov. 9, 2021, and was introduced to the County Council on Nov. 16, 2021. The County Council’s appropriation process will be completed by Nov. 30, 2021.