EPISD approves end-of-year stipend for employees
The El Paso Independent School District on Tuesday approved the distribution of a spring stipend that will give qualified employees between $250 and $500 in additional pay in June.
The Board voted unanimously to complete the two-step stipend proposal that was announced last summer. The proposal called for a winter stipend that was paid out in December and a potential end-of-year stipend that depended on the District’s fiscal standing in the spring.
“We are beyond happy to say that, in spite of the uncertainty that surrounds us given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in solid financial ground and are able to bring some good news to our employees,” said Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera. “This end-of-year stipend will help our employees cope. We hope this brings some relief as we face difficult times ahead.”
Under the guidelines for the stipend, qualified employees who are approved to work an average of more than 20 hours per week will receive $500 on June 15. Qualified employees who are approved to work 20 hours or less per week will receive $250 on that same date.
To qualify, EPISD personnel must be permanent employees (not temporary) on or before May 1, 2020 and remain employed at the time of disbursement of the stipend on June 15.
Board President Bob Geske said the move to approve the end-of-year stipend caps a year of positive movement in salary and employee compensation in EPISD.
“After years of budgetary constraints and sacrifices, we were able to give our employees a salary increase, two stipends and a new health insurance program that is saving them money,” he said. “We know our employees work diligently to improve the lives of our students, and we want to continue moving forward in compensating them fairly and appropriately.”