Fagatogo Representative Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr is seeking answers from the Department of Education (DOE) concerning the reclassification of a DOE teacher, who received their M.Ed. from UH Manoa in December 2022, and have not received their pay adjustments.
Gurr said, in an email to Acting Director of Education Folau Faafetai Teofilo, he has constituents who are part of this group, and he finds it “very disappointing” to hear about the runaround they have to go through to get answers.
According to the first term lawmaker, the graduates were told in December by Teacher Quality that the Department of Human Resources will not accept their transcripts from the school (that show they have been conferred the degree) as official documents to process their paperwork.
“From my understanding, ASG has always accepted transcripts to prove completion of degrees for two reasons: 1) it takes time for the schools to send the hard copy of the degree and 2) many students owe their universities money and so there are holds until the balance is paid,” Gurr told the Acting DOE Director.
In March of 2023, most of the graduates received the hard copies of the degrees and were told that it would take one pay period to receive their adjustments, and the adjustments would only be effective from the time that their paperwork is received by HR.
“They are now on their 4th pay period without any sign of an adjustment,” said Gurr.
“Also, it is only fair that these teachers are given retroactive pay from the time they completed their program, until the time that they finally receive their pay adjustment. NOT when HR receives their paperwork. This is not very encouraging for the next group of teachers who are considering furthering their education and professional development.”
He concluded, “I respectfully ask that DOE act on this right away.”
And he expressed the hope that the next paycheck will be right in time for Teachers Appreciation Week.
