In his 19th executive order since Connecticut has enacted declarations of both public health and civil preparedness emergencies, Governor Ned Lamont is requiring all public school districts to continue to pay staff while schools are closed.

Governor Lamont's announcement on Tuesday evening (March 31) included teachers, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, nurses, para-educators, clerical staff, bus drivers, and others.

"We need them back when schools re-open," said Lamont. "They're there for our kids, we need to be there for them!"

While the order requires that currently employed public school staff continue to be paid, it also requires public school systems to restore the employment of staff who were laid off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Additionally, the order requires municipalities to "continue providing funding to local boards of education as set forth in the approved annual school budgets."

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