Paid leave for school support staff during epidemics passes Senate

One year ago, the first case of COVID-19 hit Oklahoma and schools had to shut down to protect the safety of students and staff. While most schools have returned to full in-person learning, some are still utilizing virtual learning. While pay for teachers and administrators is protected and guaranteed under current state law during epidemics and state emergencies, it is not for school support staff. Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, authored Senate Bill 807 to ensure the pay of these important school staffers is protected.

“The historic nature of the pandemic has presented several problems and issues that have never had to be dealt with, and the pay of school support staff was one of them. Currently, there is a provision in law allowing teachers paid time if a school closes during an epidemic or health emergency, but unfortunately it doesn’t include districts’ hardworking support staff,” Kidd said. “This bill will statutorily ensure that the pay of support staff in our schools is protected just as it is for other school staff.”

SB 807 directs that school support employees be entitled to pay for any time lost when a school district is closed because of an epidemic or when a closing order is issued by an authorized health officer.

Kidd explained that Gov. Stitt passed an executive order last spring requesting that public schools continue to pay all their employees, contractors, and support staff for the 2019-2020 school year. However, it expired, and he did not renew the order for the current school year.

“These individuals play a vital role in our schools—overseeing meals, answering phones, managing the office, cleaning the buildings, maintaining the grounds and many other important daily tasks that keep our schools up and running,” Kidd said. “Just as they look out for the best interest of our children and schools, we must look out for them and get this bill signed into law.”

SB 807, which passed the Senate overwhelmingly late Tuesday, will next be heard in the House where Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, is the principal House author.

For more information, contact: Sen. Kidd: (405) 521-5563 or Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov