Thompson and Horton Families First Coronavirus Response Act - Frequently Asked Questions

DOL Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice – Frequently Asked Questions

Per TEA: Guidance on Educator and Staff Issues and Educator Evaluation and Non-Renewal – April 14, 2020

The agency has received several inquiries from districts trying to get service records for new hires that they are currently unable to verify information for given the effects of COVID-19. The agency recommends districts consult with their legal counsel as they consider the following options:

1. Utilize an unsigned digital service record and request a signed service record once districts reopen. A district’s legal counsel should determine how this may effect salary if it is determined that not all service was eligible (e.g., requiring the educator to return any overpayment to the district, or the district providing back pay to educators if they did not initially pay for all eligible years given information that was available during COVID-19).

2. Conduct a PEIMS search if the educator was employed after 1994. While there is not enough detailed information to determine number of actual days employed, it can support any documentation a school can provide such as an unsigned service record that has been emailed to a district.

3. Request a copy of the educator’s TRS statement regarding his or her retirement status. The TRS documentation will provide some insight into the educator’s salary and years of service being claimed based on contributions paid into the retirement system.

4. Accept scanned service records. This has been supported in rule for several years and remains a viable option for districts that can successfully access their electronic records to share with another district.

5. Ask for email confirmation from the previous employing district that confirms information provided by the educator. Districts should confer with their legal counsel regarding how to request and maintain confirmation of the service record information and document decisions regarding teacher pay for future reference.

6. Request a copy of the educator’s W2 or tax record. if the educator was employed by a district that also did social security contributions. Districts should request that an educator’s personal information (such as social security number) be redacted until employed.

The options described above would apply for Texas public schools. For those educators coming from private schools, another state, or another country, it becomes more difficult to verify experience depending on how each entity handles service. Some states handle service at the state level while others handle service at the local district level. Districts are strongly encouraged to speak with their local legal counsel to determine how to grant salary until service records become available for final verification.

Per TEA: Guidance on Educator and Staff Issues and Educator Evaluation and Non-Renewal – April 14, 2020

IdentoGO, the fingerprinting vendor for the Tx. Dept. of Public Safety (DPS), has closed or reduced operating hours in nearly half of its locations in Texas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The closures have resulted in a decrease in fingerprinting appointment availability within certain regions. However, in the interest of student safety, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is not planning to modify fingerprinting requirements for certificate applicants, non-certified employees, or any other individuals required to fingerprint for TEA or the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The agency will continue to monitor the situation and notify school districts and educator preparation programs if there is a change in policy.

As a reminder to applicants for SBEC certification, fingerprinting is required for issuance of the initial certificate. As long as a person holds an SBEC certificate, TEA will receive real-time notifications of subsequent criminal history through the DPS Clearinghouse. Therefore, an individual does not need to fingerprint again to receive additional certificates. Furthermore, if an individual previously fingerprinted as a non-certified school district or charter school employee, TEA will be already subscribed to that person’s criminal history and the person does not need to fingerprint again to obtain an SBEC certificate.

For more information about fingerprinting requirements or to submit a fingerprinting Help Desk ticket, please visit the TEA fingerprinting website. Additionally, please visit the DPS Clearinghouse website for information about the fingerprinting vendor’s operations and guidelines for reducing exposure to COVID-19 during the fingerprinting process. 

Governor Greg Abbott: March 19, 2020 Executive Order

Governor Greg Abbott: March 31, 2020 Executive Order

Governor Greg Abbott: April 17, 2020 Executive Order

Governor Greg Abbott: April 27, 2020 Executive Order GA-18

Governor Greg Abbott: April 27, 2020 Executive Order GA-19

Governor Greg Abbott: April 27, 2020 Executive Order GA-20

March 24, 2020: Tarrant County Executive Order

April 3, 2020: Tarrant County Executive Order

Employers may use flexible provisions until May 19, 2020, or within three business days after the termination of the National Emergency, whichever comes first. This allows employers to obtain and review the documents remotely (e.g., over video link, fax, or email) when precautions due to COVID-19 are in place. Employers exercising this option must:

• Provide written documentation of their remote onboarding and telework policy for each employee. 
• Require employees onboarded using remote verification to report to the employer for in-person verification within three days after normal operations resume.
• Upon physical inspection, complete Form I-9 Section 2 and enter COVID-19 in the additional information field as the reason for the physical inspection delay, or to section 3 as appropriate.
• Add “documents physically examined” with the date of the physical inspection to the Section 2 additional information field of Form I-9, or to section 3 as appropriate.

Full details can be found in the links below:  

ICE Newsroom

TASB HR Services

The UPS Store retail locations are currently designated as essential and are remaining open. This means essential services such as mail and package receiving, shipping, printing and notary services are available. 

Some local bank branches remain open for notary services, please call and verify your local branch is open for these services.  

There are also mobile and online notary services available. 

How do I become and online notary?