IPS Providing Bonuses, Mental Health Resources for Staff

Indianapolis Public Schools has unveiled a plan it says will provide short-term and long-term support for staff. The district says the plan is designed to support staff retention through the pandemic and beyond as well as support their mental health and wellness.

IPS is investing $15 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

The district says it will provide new school support bonuses for all IPS staff “for their continued work through the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate student learning and rebuild stronger for the future needs of IPS.”

All staff members are set to receive an additional $1,000 during the fall 2022 semester, $1,500 in spring 2023 and $1,000 in fall 2023. The bonuses are in addition to the salary raise approved by IPS last fall.

IPS is also partnering with New York-based Talkspace, an online and mobile therapy platform, to provide free mental health support for staff and their families. The district says this is the first time such services are being made available in its history.

Additionally, the district is launching a “teacher flex time” initiative. Beginning with a pilot in select schools this fall, IPS says the initiative will provide opportunities for remote work and flexible teaching roles, as opposed to the traditional bell-to-bell schedule.

“We’re taking lessons learned from the pandemic, and the determination not to settle for the status quo, as an opportunity to aggressively rethink how school districts can support staff in their work,” IPS Director of Talent Acquisition Alex Moseman said in a news release.

IPS says it plans to fully implement the teacher flex time initiative in the fall of 2023.