Eastern Pulaski Schools Offers Appreciation Pay to Support Staff Working during COVID-19 Closure

Eastern Pulaski school employees who’ve worked extra hours during the COVID-19 closure will be getting “appreciation pay.”

The school board has agreed to pay an extra $5 an hour to about 30 staff members, including custodians, cooks, and secretaries, according to draft minutes from Monday’s meeting. The extra cost adds up to a total of about $5,000. School officials say the money would come from what they saved in utility and transportation costs while the school buildings have been closed. They’ve also applied for FEMA assistance.

The draft minutes say the school board also accepted about $7,000 in donations from community members and businesses to allow the school corporation to continue offering Grab ‘n Go Meals through the rest of the school year and the summer. Almost 21,000 meals have been served so far, according to Superintendent Dara Chezem.

She’s also looking at holding graduation on either July 10 or August 7, depending on guidance from the Pulaski County Health Department.