CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Over 300 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees will be receiving a smaller paycheck after a summer overpayment in a COVID-related stipend, the district confirmed Friday.
CMS said on June 30, more than 10,000 employees received a COVID-related stipend for teachers and other school-based licensed staff for taking on additional responsibilities to continue providing instruction and support for students during the pandemic. Employees who received this stipend completed a request form which was reviewed and approved by school principals.
Of the over 10,000 employees who received the $750 stipend, 319 employees received a duplicate payment of the same amount due to a duplication in an Excel spreadsheet connected to the payroll process for one-time payments.
CMS told WCNC Charlotte that state statute requires the district to recoup the overpayments regardless of the cause.
"While we understand that making repayment can be a financial hardship for employees, we are required to recoup the funds and, if necessary, can recoup against future earnings," the district said, in part, in a statement. "Employees may reach out to the payroll department with questions or to request recoupment over multiple pay periods, if needed."
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