27 School Districts Support Educators With Paid Maternity Leave Available Through LEARNS

LITTLE ROCK - Twenty-seven school districts are demonstrating their commitment to new mothers this school year by participating in the maternity leave program available through the LEARNS Act.

Through the voluntary program, districts can partner with the Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to split the cost of filling a position when a staff member is on paid maternity leave. Participating districts determine the number of weeks they want to participate in the program (up to 12 weeks) and whether employees will receive full or partial compensation paid by the district during that time.

"Great education starts with great teachers, and recruiting and retaining those teachers is one of the key planks of the LEARNS Act," Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. "Seventy percent of Arkansas' teachers are women, so expanding maternity leave helps the majority of our teachers build a family and a great career at the same time."

"Like with other portions of the LEARNS Act, the maternity leave benefit can be used to recruit and retain high-quality teachers to a district," ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. "These districts are not just showing their commitment to supporting teachers and staff, but also are providing a sense of security as they welcome a new child into the family."

Governor Sanders signed the LEARNS Act in March 2023, raising starting teacher salaries from $36,000 to $50,000 - from 48th in the nation to first when adjusted for cost of living - and giving every teacher at least a $2,000 raise. It also launched the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, offering merit-based bonuses ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 to thousands of teachers a year. Thanks to LEARNS, Arkansas now offers expanded student loan repayment for educators in areas with a teacher shortage and scholarships for aspiring teachers.

The following districts submitted cost-sharing agreements to DESE for the 2024-25 school year: Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy, Beebe, Clinton, De Queen, Earle, Genoa Central, Greenbrier, Harrisburg, Helena-West Helena, Hope, Izard County, Jacksonville North Pulaski, Jonesboro, Kirby, Lawrence County, Lee County, Little Rock, Magnolia, Manilla, Marvell-Elaine, Nettleton, Pine Bluff, Rivercrest, Rose Bud, Searcy, Spring Hill, and Strong-Huttig.

Twenty-three districts participated in the program during the 2023-24 school year: Bay, Beebe, Clinton, Earle, Fordyce, Greenbrier, Helena-West Helena, Harrisburg, Hope, Jonesboro, Kirby, Lawrence County, Lee County, Magnolia, Marvell-Elaine, Mount Ida, Nettleton, Pine Bluff, Rivercrest, Rose Bud, Searcy, Spring Hill, and Two Rivers.

Several districts that participated in the first year positively reflect on their decisions to partner with the department.

Two Rivers: Investing in What They Value

The Two Rivers School District views its employees as family, and offering paid maternity leave is a tangible way to show how much they are valued and supported through all stages of life. Superintendent Harry Alvis believes it is one thing to say the district cares, but it is another to do something about it. Last school year, Alvis said four staff members took advantage of the new program and were able to take time off without worrying about the risk of financial hardships.

"Allowing me to have these past 12 weeks off while being paid has been a true blessing for my family," First-Grade Teacher Katelyn Hodges said about her experience last school year. "I didn't have to worry one time about our financial situation while bringing another baby into the world, unlike my past maternity leaves. Instead, my district put me first as an employee and as a mother. They gave me a gift I'll never be able to repay-the gift of time and peace of mind."

Positive experiences such as this are expected to increase both the morale and retention of educators. When considering the peace of mind this decision has given his employees, Alvis said the cost was money well spent. Being able to alleviate the financial burden on new parents, particularly newer teachers who have not accumulated many sick days, made the choice clear. Alvis encourages other superintendents to strongly consider participating in the cost-sharing agreement with DESE.

Pine Bluff: Supporting Staff Decisions

In the Pine Bluff School District, the decision to offer paid maternity leave came in response to a request from the Personnel Policy Committee. Although no employees have yet to take advantage of the new opportunity, the district is already advertising the benefit in recruitment efforts.

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Barbaree is grateful for the reimbursement provided by the cost-sharing agreement with DESE, allowing her district to offer this new benefit to faculty and staff.

"Women should not be forced to decide between choosing to be a mother and choosing to be a professional," Barbaree said.

Like most districts, the only previous maternity leave option for staff was to take FMLA and use sick days and short-term disability, Barbaree said. The next woman to take maternity leave at Pine Bluff will have a much different experience.

Greenbrier: Giving Time Back to Teachers

Superintendent Darren Spainhour recognizes the time commitment of being a teacher, especially time away from one's family.

"We ask so much, and they give so much... it's the least we can do," Spainhour said.

Offering paid maternity leave is a great benefit at Greenbrier School District for retaining current staff and recruiting new teachers. Spainhour points out that with the increase in teacher salaries across the state, this benefit can also help Greenbrier stay competitive.

After giving 13 staff members almost 600 days of paid maternity leave last school year, Spainhour believes this program is beneficial. Receiving personal thank-you emails from new mothers reinforced his belief that supporting families was the right decision.

LEARNS Act

To learn more about the LEARNS Act, visit https://learns.ade.arkansas.gov/.

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