Papillion teachers and other district staff are receiving a stipend bonus, courtesy of COVID. Starting February, current full-time staff will receive a $1,000 bonus in addition to their regular salary. A second $1,000 installment of the stipend will be added to May paychecks for staff who renew their contracts for next year, and a final $1,000 installment will be added to the paychecks of staff who are still employed in December. 

Explaining the stipend

   For some, the will total $3,000 before tax. Any new teachers being employed into the district will also obtain the last bonus in December they are under contract at that time. Staff members who plan to leave the district after this school year will receive just this month’s payment. All of this will be funded because, during the pandemic, money was budgeted and not spent, day-to-day operations were different. Extra money from the COVID era will pay for this stipend, and it will add up to around $4.7 million all together.

The year 2020 was difficult for both students and teachers. New technology was having to be learned in months, and the absence from students, stress and other things were destructive to teachers’ mental health. 

Teacher thoughts

    Head Principal Mr. Jeff Spilker showed empathy to his staff stating, “Our staff members were warriors that showed sacrifice … dealing with changes and constant absences took a toll on them. It was exhausting and mentally grueling.”

     The district’s human resources department and administrative body all viewed the stipend as a way to recognize the staff’s struggles throughout the pandemic. 

     Spilker said he hoped it sent a clear message that: “We value you and want to keep you at the school.”

     Business teacher Mr. Ryan Stieren, who teaches digital design and finance, said he planned to invest the extra money. He said he liked that “they are splitting it up into three parts” because this was a way to recognize but also to recruit.

     It’s no secret there’s been a national teacher shortage. With the stipend’s third and final payment in December, any teacher who signs a contract to work for the school next year will be given one-third of the stipend. In areas of high need for recruitment, an extra $1,500 will be added to the already existing $1,000. 

Ms. Karlie Hermsen, the Education Academy leader, who prepares students for potential future careers as teachers, said this extra money is “the icing on a cake” for recruitment. 

     This stipend is a way to try and hold onto existing staff members and recruit new ones. At the Jan. 9 school board meeting, where the stipend was announced, board member Ms. Brittany Holtmeyer asked Dr. Kati Settles, assistant superintendent of human resources, why it is so difficult to hire and retain staff. Settles replied, “There is a shortage of people pursuing a teaching career.” The stipend will be used to recruit, retain and recognize staff who struggled during COVID 2020.