Leander ISD to give employees $800 stipends for pandemic-related costs

Leander ISD employees will receive $800 stipends in December to cover personal protective equipment expenses related to the pandemic.

This is an alternative to the 2% one-time payment suggested in May, which was in lieu of a permanent raise in the 2020-21 budget. The 2% payment was dependent on the school district reaching student enrollment criteria. Enrollment was about 1,000 students short of the 41,300 criteria Oct. 30.

LISD's board of trustees unanimously approved the stipends Nov. 19. The board first discussed the stipends Nov. 5.

The district will give full-time employees an $800 stipend, and 0.5 full-time-equivalent employees will receive $400, according to the district.

The plan also includes the hiring of a third-party vendor to provide substitutes at a 100% fill rate. The district said listening sessions showed a need for additional substitutes. Leander ISD announced a partnership with ESS on Nov. 17 to increase the district's pool of substitute teachers.

LISD set aside $5.4 million for the now unfulfilled one-time payments, which would cover the approved stipends and vendor hiring. The amended plan did not require a budget amendment.

Editor's note: This article has been edited to correct the enrollment number as of Oct. 30.