Grant Makes Possible New Employee Sign-on Bonus Opportunities and Helps with Critical Retention Efforts
Thanks to a recently approved supplemental budget, special education schools including the League School will receive a grant to help with critical staffing needs. Recruiting and retaining staff during the pandemic has been a challenge for schools. The Emergency Assistance for Approved Special Education Schools (EAASES) grant provides significant funding for approved special education school staffing.
“The Governor’s Office and leadership from the Massachusetts House and Senate appreciated all the work special education schools did to educate students during a very challenging time,” said Larry Sauer, Chief Executive Officer. “The Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS) was instrumental in shepherding this important grant.”
Ninety percent of the funding must be used for recruitment and retention efforts. COO Cheryl White, CFO Ismael DaSilva, Director of HR Jenna Federer, and Larry met to determine how to best reward employees who staff at League, especially employees in hard-to-fill positions. Although not everyone is covered by the grant, everyone is receiving an incentive for their hard work and dedication. Licensed teachers, Board Certified Behavioral Analysts, Teacher Assistants, and residential staff receive the highest percentage bonus. New employees will receive a sign-on bonus.
The fiscal year 2022 retention incentive increases funded by an earlier grant with each payment:
- Beginning of March
- Beginning of May
- Before the summer break begins in late June
The approved supplemental budget will mean that League School salaries will increase beginning in July to be more in line with public school rates. For the 2024 fiscal year that begins in July of next year, special education schools can apply for increased tuition rates to cover these higher salaries. “These funds will be a major help for the school to attract and retain staff,” said Larry. “More importantly, having consistent staff over several years is better for our students and their education.”
