Agenda Item
Meeting Date:
11/18/2021 - 5:30 PM  
Category:
Report of the Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel  
Type:
Action  
Subject:
4. Action on a Request to Approve an Incentive for Fully Vaccinated Students Ages 5 - 11 and a One-Time Bonus for Staff  
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 2
Student, Family and Community Engagement
Goal 3
Effective and Efficient Operations
 
Policy:
Admin Policy 6.20 - Contracts, Employee Benefits, and Compensation Plans  
Attachments:
 
File Attachment:
 
Background:
On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. In an effort to ensure a healthy and safe learning and work environment for students and staff the Milwaukee Board of Schools Directors approved a vaccine mandate for staff and an incentive for fully vaccinated students ages 12 years and older. This item requests extending the incentive to students ages 5 – 11 who apply for the incentive and are fully vaccinated by January 14, 2022. Vaccination is the most effective method of reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Staff have been impacted in many ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have been flexible to meet the needs of students and families. Staff have demonstrated their versatility through readiness to provide learning virtually and/or face-to-face, taking on additional work to help with vacancies, and ensuring protocols are followed to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To show appreciation for the hard work staff has done to support district operations and student learning this year, a one-time bonus is proposed.

The recommendation is that the Board authorize the following: (1) a $100 vaccine incentive per student ages 5-11 that apply for the incentive and are fully vaccinated by January 14, 2022, and (2) a one-time $250 bonus, per benefit-eligible staff member.
 
Fiscal Impact Statement:
Currently there are about 31,287 students ages 5 – 11 that may be eligible for the vaccination incentive. If all the students apply and are fully vaccinated the fiscal impact would be $3,128,700. The estimated fiscal impact of the staff bonus would be $2,550,250 based on about 10,201 benefit-eligible staff. The total fiscal impact for the student vaccination incentive and the staff bonus would be an estimated $5,678,950 depending on participation.  
Implementation and Assessment Plan:
Upon approval by the Board, the incentive program and one-time bonus will be scheduled and implemented.  
Recommendation
Your Committee recommends approval of the Administration's recommendation, with the one-time bonus to include part-time Building Service Helpers and part-time Food Service Assistants.  
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Adria Maddaleni - Chief Human Resources Officer
Signed By:  
Keith Posley, Ed.D. - Superintendent
Pending:  
Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer