HCPS Offers Bonus, Salary Increase To Attract Workers

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Harford County is working to attract staff for transportation and nutrition services during a regional shortage.

Salary increases and a signing bonus are among the offerings that Harford County Public Schools and Harford County government officials announced at a news conference Tuesday where they signed a memorandum of understanding making the changes binding.

Harford County Public Schools will provide an 8 percent adjustment to the salary scales for bus drivers, bus attendants and food and nutrition workers, Superintendent Sean Bulson said.

The increase in pay will take effect Dec. 26 and be reflected in payroll payments Jan. 7, 2022. Scheduled negotiations to take place in December for the FY 2023 contract year are not impacted, officials said.

Also the Harford County Board of Education and the Harford County Education Association accelerated previously negotiated salary increases for paraprofessionals, inclusion helpers and specified technicians. Workers in these positions will receive an 8 percent increase in salary effective Dec. 26 as well as a 7 percent increase July 1, 2022, and another 7 percent increase effective in July 2023.

A 6 percent increase to all salary steps will take effect July 1, 2022, according to a statement from Harford County Public Schools.

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman also announced he would make $2.3 million available for the school system to offer a $2,000 retention payment for all school bus drivers, bus attendants and food service workers.

“Like our fellow ‘Big 8’ counties in Maryland, Harford is facing worker shortages in these areas,” Glassman said. “This funding will help recruit and retain the dedicated staff of bus drivers, attendants and food service workers who take care of our children in school.”

Glassman said the $2,000 bonus would serve as a one-time payment for school system employees and contract workers to help fill vacancies.

This article has been updated.