Valdez School District gives $ 1,500 to every teacher and staff as a thank you during difficult pandemic
Schools in the town of Valdez will donate $ 1,500 to each of its teachers and staff before the holidays. It is intended to help retain and recruit staff as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, said Jim Nygaard, acting district superintendent.
The money comes from federal COVID relief funds, he said.
“There’s a fatigue that always sets in right before Christmas, and when you mix a little fatigue with a little stress, these people on the front lines deserve to be recognized,†he said. “With the COVID money available through this grant, I thought it was very appropriate.”
In April, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development released a study on teacher retention and recruitment. When asked what might help keep teachers in their jobs, the first answer was a competitive salary that covers the cost of living.
Nygaard said those costs increased during the pandemic.
“We all buy our groceries from the same place, we all buy our gasoline from the same gas station. Everyone is aware of what the impact of inflation has done to us, â€he said.
As teachers have adapted to distance learning and school closings, Nygaard said, another thing that has increased is community appreciation for their work.
Schools in the town of Valdez employ 125 teachers and staff, Nygaard said.
He said the district is working to get the money back to them by Christmas.