Groveton schools extend staff benefits

TCNS staff

GROVETON — Groveton ISD staff will still have time available to them if necessary to take off because of a positive COVID test.

Superintendent Jim Dillard said the board passed a resolution to extend the employee emergency sick leave that covers employees for COVID days. 

“The government had extended it to Sept. 30, but the board will continue it through the remainder of the school year,” he said.

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The policy covers employees for 10 days if they or a child in their immediate family has to be out because of a positive COVID test. Documentation must be provided to the district justifying the leave.

Additionally, Dillard said the number of staff and students being out because of COVID dropped significantly from the beginning of the year, when the district was closed. 

There are two cases in staff members at the elementary school, and none at the other campuses, Dillard said. There are students that have tested positive at the other campuses, but only a few. 

In other business, the board:

• approved a stipend for teachers and administrators that complete a reading academy;
• approved legislative updates to the school policy;
• approved candidates for the appraisal districts for Houston and Trinity counties; and
• discussed a stipend for teachers, to be paid through ESSER grants, to help spur retention.