Fort Worth ISD Applies for Waivers

The Fort Worth ISD will apply for waivers from the state regarding missed instructional days and employee compensation during the six-days the District closed schools because of the H1N1 (Swine) flu.  The Board of Education gave approval to the plan at the Tuesday, May 12, board meeting.

The TEA indicates they will grant waivers to all districts who apply regarding the missed days in the classroom. 

District staff also recommended to the Board that the District seek every possible legal waiver to make sure employees don’t lose compensation for the days they were not at work.  

“Our concern was that no employee will be financially penalized because of this extraordinary situation,” said Superintendent Melody Johnson.

Although, the District restricted employee attendance to minimal staffing, all employees remained on duty, and understood they were to be available by phone or by e-mail during normal work hours, and prepared to come into work on short notice.

When the CDC and Tarrant County Health Department recommended that schools could reopen sooner than originally planned, employees returned on Friday, May 8, rather than the previously announced Monday, May 11.

The approved compensation issue does not apply to short-term substitutes.