New Canaan teachers may get $1,000 bonus
NEW CANAAN — The finance board agreed unanimously Tuesday on a special appropriation for $413,000 to give district teachers each up to $1,000 in bonuses. The board agreed to have the money come out of the general fund.
A pre-written motion in the agenda said it would come out of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. Chairman Todd Lavieri called the gesture a ‘thank you bonus” and an “exciting idea” and took responsibility for the confusion on where the money would come from.
The money will go to 427 certified teacher and guidance staff and was prorated for teachers who were not with the district the entire year.
“It would be nice if it could be from the ARPA funds, but the decision on how to spend the ARPA funds aren’t quite made yet,” Lavieri said.
To date, the town has received $2.8 million and expects nearly $3.2 million more by June 2022 from the federal program providing $350 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments.
The chairman did not want to wait for ARPA funds, instead wanting to move the process along so the bonuses could make it to the teachers by their December paychecks, he said.
The next step is for Town Council to consider the proposal.
The council held a public hearing on Oct. 5 to discuss the possible uses for ARPA funds and members agreed that a subcommittee should develop parameters for how ARPA money is spent. The subcommittee is made up of both the Board of Finance and Town Council members. Councilman Mark Gryzmski agreed to write a draft of parameters.
Lavieri explained why he wanted the town to give the bonuses out. When he was the liaison for the teacher union negotiations, he was shown a video presentation in which teachers said they were paying people to home school their children while they taught New Canaan students. “Let that sink in,” he said.
Board member Chris Le Bris made the motion.
Board member Neil Budnick seconded it, but raised concerns it would set a precedent, “Governments don’t give bonuses.” He wanted it to be clear “it is not something that should be expected, if there are other tough years, necessarily, we are lucky we have this sort of money.”
“We are putting our money where are mouth is, and saying we really appreciate what you people did,” board member Victor Alvarez said. “I think it would be great to use ARPA funds for these type of things.”
He added that the board should give consideration to “people who have been left out,” such as van drivers, teacher assistants and bus drivers.
Lavieri recognized that police, fire and other employees may be considered for bonuses in the future. “I think we are all certainly supportive of having that conversation,” and it is “something we should evaluate and consider 100 percent.”
The appropriation is advocated in the agenda with a pre-written motion. “Education is a hallmark of our community, and since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, our educators have stepped forward with courage and skill,” it said.
The town would like to recognize the educators for “their dedication, compassion, and professionalism throughout the pandemic,” the agenda says.
Several organizations would benefit from a portion of the ARPA funds. During the Town Council hearing, representatives from the YMCA and nature centers asked for money to increase child care in town.
Patricia Spugani asked for nearly $1 million of ARPA funds to expand the Powerhouse Theater. Chairman of Town Conservation Commission Chris Schipper asked that one-third of funds be used for sustainability and John McClain, on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 653, asked for $12,000 for wreaths to be put on graves of veterans.