Utah Teachers To Receive $1,500 Bonus For Their Work During Pandemic
Dec 17, 2020, 8:14 AM | Updated: 8:14 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah teachers will be getting bonus checks to the tune of $1,500 for their hard work during the pandemic.
State lawmakers on Wednesday revealed a proposal to give the bonus to licensed teachers, as well as a $1,000 bonus for other school employees. That includes bus drivers, custodians, aids and lunch workers.
Legislators said they want to send aa message to thank educators for their hard work and sacrifice.
“This pandemic has put extraordinary strain on our entire education community, including school janitors, cafeteria workers, nurses, counselors, bus drivers, and especially our teachers,” Governor-Elect Spencer Cox said in a statement. “It’s taken courage, creativity, patience and perseverance to get through this year, and it’s not over yet.”
Utah Educators Association President Heidi Matthews said the teachers’ union couldn’t be happier.
“Above all, it’s such a recognition of the incredibly hard work, and also that we’re being heard,” she said.
The bonus doesn’t include teachers who are solely online, which means those in the Salt Lake City School District will not qualify for the money unless they return to class by the end of January.
Lawmakers also proposed a fully-funded base education budget before the legislative session even started.
“These frontline workers have earned our heightened respect, but they deserve tangible rewards as well,” Cox said. “That’s why I’m so grateful to House and Senate leaders for joining us in providing these extra payments to school personnel. We honor and thank them for their remarkable efforts this year.”
