$500 For Warren Township Teachers Employed Through COVID

WARREN, NJ — Many Warren Township Schools employees got a special surprise before the new school year began.

Permanent employees who worked with the district from March 13, 2020 to Aug. 29, 2022 will get a one-time $500 payment, Superintendent Dr. Matthew Mingle announced in his convocation speech.

Staff, who had not been together as a group since September of 2019, gave two rounds of applause for the announcement, the district said.

Teachers, support staff, and administrators took on new duties and did "everything in their power to effectively provide a healthy, safe, engaging, supportive, and challenging environment for the students of Warren Township," the district said.

The custodial, maintenance, and transportation workers, Buildings and Grounds department, school nurses, and other staff were also recognized.

"Warren Township Schools will open on August 31, 2022, resembling a pre-pandemic environment for the first time in three years," the district said. "However, district leadership will never forget the tremendous efforts put forth by the district’s employees, both past and present."

Jeffrey Heaney, principal of Woodland School, expressed his gratitude for his colleagues.

“There is no doubt that the past several years have been a very difficult time in our schools, in our country, and in the world," Heaney said in a news release. "Throughout all of the challenges, I am proud to work alongside a group of educators in the Warren Township School District who quickly adapted their teaching to address students' virtual learning needs during the COVID pandemic. They remained focused on supporting children not only academically but socially and emotionally as well. It is so wonderful that their efforts and commitment have been recognized by our Superintendent and our Board of Education.”

Warren Township Education Association president Nancy Andrews said the $500 "act of gratitude" was "clear evidence of the district’s recognition of the efforts and contributions of Warren Township’s public school employees during a most challenging time."

"We all know that actions speak louder than words," she said.