DENTON (WBAP/KLIF)-The Denton ISD School Board set aside $200,000 to establish a COVID-19 Employee Emergency Relief Fund for staff members in need of financial assistance due to contracting the virus. The fund is available to employees through June 30, 2021.
“We can absolutely understand the hesitation of our teachers and staff as it relates to returning to face-to-face instruction,” said Dr. Jamie Wilson, Denton ISD Superintendent. “We will continue to seek ways we can affirm our amazing employees as we support their passion to work with our students.”
The fund would enable Denton ISD to compensate employees with an additional $1,000 to offset their medical deductible or health-related expenses due to a necessary leave of absence from their job responsibilities because of a medically verified case of COVID-19.
The criteria for qualification follows the guidelines that exist under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The fund allocation would be processed if the employee has been:
-Diagnosed, through medical documentation, with COVID-19
-Approved for FMLA through the Denton ISD Human Resources Department
-Employed by Denton ISD for more than 30 days
Under the FFCRA, all employees will continue to be paid for two weeks or 80 hours, should they contract the virus and need to take a short leave. Following that, FMLA can extend that leave should the need arise.
Denton ISD’s COVID-19 Employee Emergency Relief Fund is a new benefit in addition to both FFCRA and FMLA. The district currently contributes $3,120 annually toward every employee’s healthcare benefits and every employee who works a minimum of 15 hours per week is also covered by an insurance policy of $15,000.
Denton ISD staff members who wish to complete an application for the Relief Fund, or who have specific questions should contact the Human Resources Department.
“As a district, our number one goal is to honor our district and staff,” said Barbara Burns, Board President. “Thankfully, we are able to provide this as one more mechanism to help our staff through this unfortunate pandemic.”