MSDE Authorizes Funding for $1,100 Retention Check for MCPS Bargaining Unit Members

Per the MCPS Employee and Retiree Service Center:

The federal government and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) have approved and authorized funding to provide all MCPS bargaining unit member employees with a recruitment and retention incentive.

A bargaining unit member includes all permanent and conditional supporting services employees who have attained permanent status employed by the board.

Employees who were bargaining unit members on October 15, 2021, will receive a one-time payment of $1,100 in their December 17, 2021, paychecks. Those hired after October 15, 2021, but before February 1, 2022, will receive a pro-rated incentive amount in their February 25, 2022, paychecks.

The funding is part of Maryland’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) 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 November 19, 2021, the appropriation (i.e., the approval by the BOE and the County Council required before MCPS can spend money) was approved by the BOE on November 9, 2021, and will be introduced to the County Council on November 16, 2021.

The County Council’s appropriation process will not be completed until November 30, 2021.