COVID-19

The Michigan legislators passed Public Act 66 of 2020 that appropriated, or set aside, funds for the Teacher COVID-19 and School Support COVID-19 Grant Programs. The program is for staff employed (by our ISD) during the 2019-2020 school year.

This program has set aside up to $500 for eligible teachers or instructional staff and up to $250 for eligible support staff. These funds will be processed by the Michigan Department of Treasury, not local or intermediate school districts.

Below are some key details related to the hazard pay:

Timeline for Teacher and COVID-19 and School Support COVID-19 Grant Programs

• School Districts and nonprofit nonpublic schools are required to identify eligible classroom teachers or instructional staff and support staff and email eligible grant recipients Form 5734, the Teacher and Support Staff COVID-19 Grants Certification, by November 9, 2020.

• Eligible Classroom teachers or instructional staff and support staff must return Form 5734, the Teacher and Support Staff COVID-19 Grants Certification, to the district or nonprofit nonpublic school in the form and manner the district requires by December 4, 2020.

• School districts and nonprofit nonpublic schools are then required to compile the list of eligible classroom teachers or instructional staff and support staff and electronically submit the list by December 16, 2020 using the electronic submission system and form provided by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Our ISD’s process for determining eligibility

It is important to understand that the district determined eligibility of positions based on guidance provided by the Department of Treasury.

• October 28, 2020 – The Teacher and Support Staff Covid-19 (TSSC19) Report from the Register of Educational Personnel (REP), a prepopulated report prepared for us by the state was acquired.
  • This report pulled in the teaching and instructional staff and support staff staff that the state identified as eligible
• October 29, 2020 – ICISD cabinet members and Human Resources staff reviewed list of staff that we deemed to be eligible for this payment
  • The first step was to eliminate the staff that we deemed to not be eligible based on the Department of Treasury’s Guidance. It is important to note that the guidance mentions K-12 staff multiple times throughout their guidance. Below is a list of clearly identified staff that are not eligible for the payment:
    • Early On staff (FAQ #30)
    • Transitions staff
    • GSRP staff (FAQ #13, FAQ #30)
    • Administrators (FAQ #33)
• October 30, 2020 through November 5, 2020 – ISD administrators determined if our staff that were in eligible positions as defined by the Department of Treasury’s guidance met eligibility requirements as listed below:
• Classroom Teacher and Instructional Staff Eligibility Requirements and Certification Process
  • Prior to the issuance of Executive Order 2020-35 on April 2, 2020, the teacher or instructional staff member performed at least 75% of his or her standard instructional workload in a brick and mortar classroom at a district or nonprofit nonpublic school.
  • After issuance of Executive Order 2020-35 on April 2, 2020, the teacher or instructional staff member developed tools and methods to deliver distance learning, take-home packets, or other methods described in the district or nonprofit nonpublic school’s continuity of learning plan.
  • The teacher or instructional staff member certifies to the district, in a manner prescribed by the Michigan Department of Treasury, that he or she worked additional time spent outside of normal working hours, experienced hazardous conditions, or incurred additional costs related to ensuring students could effectively participate in their school’s continuity of learning plan.

• Support Staff Eligibility Requirements and Certification Process
  • Prior to the issuance of Executive Order No. 2020- 35, the school support staff performed at least 75% of their workload in a brick and mortar school building at a district.
  • The school support staff certifies to the district, in a manner prescribed by the department, that he or she worked additional time spent outside of normal working hours, experienced hazardous conditions, or incurred additional costs related to providing student services during the COVID19 pandemic.

Our determination for eligibility was based on the position being defined as eligible per the Department of Treasury’s guidance and if those staff in eligible positions worked at least one day for the ISD from April 2nd through June 30th.

Next Steps for staff members

• Review the Excel document below to see if you are eligible by our determination
• If you are eligible, complete Form 5734 and return it to Jamie Carnes by Friday, December 4th, 2020, though it is recommended to do so as soon as possible
• Scanning the document is the best option, though sending a hard copy is acceptable.  The Business Office, would like to limit the number of papers being touched given the current pandemic issue
• It is the employees responsibility to ensure it is received by Jamie Carnes

• Anything delivered after December 4th, 2020 will not be honored
• If you do not see your name on this list and you believe you are eligible, please complete Form 5734, and send it to Jamie Carnes no later than Monday, November 23rd, 2020.  In addition, you MUST email Jamie Carnes detailing why you are eligible for the Teacher and Support Staff COVID-19. This email response must be received by November 23rd, 2020 as well.
• If at any point there is clarification on eligibility of positions, Business Office personnel will follow up with staff.