CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Employee Retention Incentive announced by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Thursday is aimed at encouraging employee retention and recognizing outstanding work, the district said.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Eligible full-time CMS employees will get $2,500, and eligible part-time employees will get $1,250
  • Payments will be broken up into two installments. The first will be in December and the second in September
  • The payments are separate from the bonuses announced in the recently approved state budget

 

The Board of Education recently approved the program, which will give eligible full-time CMS employees $2,500 and eligible part-time employees $1,250. The payments will be made in two installments, officials say, beginning with the first in December and the second in September.

“We ask so much of our employees just in a normal year,” said Board Chair Elyse Dashew. “But the past two years have been extraordinarily difficult ones for educators. We are thankful that our employees continue to show up in the service of children. All the money in the world could not adequately express our gratitude but we hope this bonus sends employees the message that we do see and appreciate their hard work.”

The following requirements must be met to be eligible for the full incentive:

  • Started working at CMS on or before Oct. 31, 2021
  • Remained continuously employed through Sept. 2022

The district says this new incentive program will replace the bus driver retention incentive offered earlier this year.

“This year has presented significant challenges for all of us,” said Superintendent Earnest Winston. “I am delighted to offer this to support our employees whose dedication is at the core of our mission and whose commitment to providing an innovative, inclusive environment is critical to student success.”

Winston says he will decline the incentive for himself.

Officials say the program is budgeted at roughly $48 million in American Rescue Plan Act-ESSER III funds and is unrelated to the state-approved bonuses included in the recently approved state budget. Those bonuses are currently scheduled to be paid in January 2022.