State Flexible Furlough Plan

As part of the flexible furlough plan authorized in the Governor’s Executive Order Number 11 signed on April 28, 2009, full-time public school employees are to receive ten (10) hours of flexible furlough leave to be taken between June 1 and December 31, 2009, in return for the 0.5% reduction in salary required under the Order. Non full-time employees will receive a proportional number of flexible furlough leave hours based on their employment term. Principals/supervisors are responsible for approving, monitoring and tracking leave time use.

After receiving additional guidance from the state and our legal counsel, Guilford County Schools (GCS) decided to manage this Executive Order by doing the following:

• All employees’ paychecks were reduced by 0.5 percent, regardless of the funding source. Since all employees typically benefit by getting the same pay increase as state employees, we believe all employees should also share in any pay reduction. The pay checks impacted by the 0.5 percent reductions were as follows:
• Teachers - May 29;
• Other 10-month salaried positions (teacher assistants and 10-month office support) - June 15;
• 10-month semi-monthly positions (school nutrition and custodians) - May 29 and June 15;
• Bus drivers - May 29 and June 29;
• ACES - June 15;
• 12-month semi-monthly positions (12-month custodians) - May 29, June 15 and June 29
• 12-month salaried positions (principals, 12-month office support, central office) – May 29 and June 29
• Since the reduction in pay for local employees is not state-mandated, GCS will hold those funds in escrow. These escrowed funds will be used to address budget shortfalls.
• The following payments for salaried employees were excluded from the .005 reduction, including: monthly Mission Possible incentives, monthly Twilight school incentives, monthly athletic director supplements, mentor payments, tutor payments, extra duty supplements, longevity payments, staff development stipends, disability payments and authorized extended employment.
• The following payments for hourly employees were excluded from the .005 reduction:  longevity, disability, staff development, activity bus driver, substitutes, summer employment and authorized extended employment.
• All full-time GCS employees received a 10-hour credit for flexible time off.  Flexible time off will be prorated for part-time employees. School-based employees were asked to take the flexible time off when school is not in session for students.

As a school system, we rise and fall together. While we regret having to reduce anyone’s pay, we believe the pain (the .005 pay reduction) and the gain (up to 10 hours of flexible leave time), equally, represents the most equitable and fair approach for all employees. Thank you for your support during this challenging financial time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate staff member in Payroll as outlined below : 

• Alamance ES-Allen MS, Diane Burr, 370-8344;
• Andrews HS-Bluford ES, Kaye Peeples, 370-8959;
• Brightwood ES-Florence ES, Debbie Roberts, 370-8370;
• Foust ES-The Academy @ Central, Alicia Hendren, 370-8990;
• The Middle College @ GTCC–High Point-McIver, Sherry Hayes, 370-8239;
• Eastern MS-Northwest HS, Sandy Jarrett, 370-8238;
• Pearce ES-Reedy Fork ES, Linda Fisher, 370-8367;
• Rankin ES-Southern HS, Amy Allen 433-7190;
• Southwest ES-Wiley ES, Kathy Barrino, 370-8345; and
• Administrative office employees call Steve Friddle at 370-8164.

To view the State Board of Education policy, click here.

To learn more information regarding pay reduction items, click here.

To track your flexible furlough leave, click here.

To view frequently asked questions, click here.