NORTHFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Regional School District has signed two agreements stating it will provide full pay and benefits to teachers and support professionals who are unable to provide instruction due to a COVID-19 related closure or because of quarantine or diagnosis of COVID-19.
The two agreements, which became official during a video conference meeting on Thursday, were signed with the Pioneer Valley Regional Association of Support Professionals and the Pioneer Valley Regional Education Association.
Superintendent Jonathan Scagel said the district decided early on to support employees during this crisis. The agreements state that if support professionals or teachers are unable to work remotely due to COVID-19 related illness, they will be granted paid leave in accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, if they are eligible. Scagel said some employees would be allotted up to 12 weeks of full pay.
“I agree that we need to stand behind employees and pay them during this time,” Scagel said.
Pioneer Valley Regional School Education Association representative Claire Brennan said that “right from the beginning” Scagel had agreed that every employee would be paid.
“Thanks to Scagel and the School Committee for supporting us,” Brennan said. “We are working our hardest to do the best we can for our students. This is a very difficult time and we need all the support that we can get. … It’s just very difficult right now for everyone.”
School Committee member Sue O’Reilly-McRae vouched for the importance of these agreements, and expressed concern that faculty have gone home and may have to care for their own children or elderly family members, in addition to continuing their school work.
“We have really changed the work situation for all faculty, and people have gone home to very different settings,” she said.
O’Reilly-McRae agreed that, even if they are unable to perform their duties at this time, faculty should be supported by the district and continue to be paid.
The agreements are currently dated through May 1. The School Committee will re-assess the agreements and any potential need to extend them during its next meeting.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.