CONTACT: Pavi’Elle Phillips
305-995-1334
district1@dadeschools.net
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON III
March 26, 2020
School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III To Seek Compensation Of Part-Time/hourly Employees During Current Covid-19 Mandated School Closure
At the School Board meeting of March 31, 2020, School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III will ask the School Board to approve a Board Agenda item to seek Compensation of Part-Time/Hourly Employees During Current Covid-19 Mandated School Closure.
On March 13, 2020, following State of Emergency declarations at local, state, and national levels, Miami-Dade County Public Schools followed suit with a declaration of emergency school closures beginning March 16, 2020. Subsequently, Florida Governor Ron De Santis ordered schools to be closed throughout the state through April 15, 2020.
As Miami-Dade County and throughout the world and economic markets continue to witness, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing severe strain on the lives of every American. The inconspicuous harm in most instances pales in comparison to the personal, emotional, and financial toll that the pandemic will impose because of a related loss of pay on hourly/part-time M-DCPS employees that would include but were not limited to custodians, bus drivers, teacher aides, and food service workers.
“During these challenging times, it is critically important that the School Board leads the effort to recognize the previous contributions and present challenges of our part-time/hourly employees,” Dr. Gallon said. “Within the legal framework of our authority, seeking compensation for this often financially fragile group of employees is both a moral and humanitarian imperative, and will contribute greatly to sustaining the lives of our employees and their families.”
