Summer Pay Chaos: MCPS Employees Still Await Compensation as Unions Take Action

July 26, 2025 9:02pm – By Tomas Monticelli

Updated 7/27/25 at 11:30am to include statement from MCEA and image with signs held up during recent BOE meeting

Despite reassurances and recent communications from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the payroll situation for summer employees remains unresolved for many, with mounting frustration and new allegations surfacing.

Background: Timecard Errors and Missing Pay

Earlier this month, Moderately MOCO reported that many MCPS summer staff had not been paid for work completed between June 28 and July 11. Employees working in Extended School Year (ESY), Title I, ELO, and Regional Summer School programs reported being unable to submit timecards due to technical issues, or receiving inaccurate compensation for the hours they worked.

In response, MCPS extended the timecard submission deadline and announced that employees would be allowed to retroactively submit hours on Wednesday, July 23, with payments processed on July 30.

New Union Communications Reveal Deepening Crisis

Since that initial update, both major unions representing MCPS employees, the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) and SEIU Local 500, have issued urgent new communications indicating the payroll crisis is far from over.

MCEA accused MCPS’s new HUB payroll system of causing “delayed or inaccurate pay” that has impacted employees’ ability to meet basic financial obligations

A July 25 email from MCEA accused MCPS’s new HUB payroll system of causing “delayed or inaccurate pay” that has impacted employees’ ability to meet basic financial obligations. MCEA called the situation “unacceptable” and confirmed it is preparing to file a class action grievance against the district.

The union has begun collecting formal reports from affected members and has launched a survey to document the scope of unpaid or underpaid work.

“No one should have to chase down their paycheck or worry about how to cover essential expenses because of system errors,” wrote MCEA President David Stein.

MCEA Press Statement to Moderately MOCO:

MCEA spokesperson responded to Moderately MOCO request for comment with the following statement noting that they are addressing the issue through the process outlined in our collective bargaining agreement:

“The Montgomery County Education Association is deeply concerned about the disruptions that Montgomery County Public Schools’ payment platform is having on educators. “Like all workers, our members rely on getting paid on time and in full,” said MCEA Vice President Danillya Wilson. “These disruptions are unacceptable. These payment problems interrupt the ability of our members to pay bills on time and meet their families’ financial obligations.”   

“We are working to ensure that this problem is remedied as quickly as possible and are prepared to take all appropriate actions under our collective bargaining agreement.””

Signs Held Up at BOE Meeting

At the July 24 Board of Education meeting, there were presumably MCPS staff in the front row with signs reading “MCPS Pay Us!!”

SEIU: Back Pay, Rate Issues Still Unresolved

SEIU expressed similar concerns. While noting that progress has been made, the union stated that employees with unresolved back pay issues will be required to fill out a new form from MCPS, expected to be sent this week. In addition, support staff who believe they are being paid at the wrong rate will need to complete a separate form to report those discrepancies.

Payments for resubmitted July 23 timecards are expected no earlier than July 30.

However, SEIU also noted that “legitimate back pay claims” are still under review, and it remains unclear how many affected staff have been fully compensated, or when they will be.

Special Education and Infants & Toddlers Staff Also Affected

In another notice from the MCPS Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC), the district admitted that employees in the Infants and Toddlers Program were not paid correctly on the July 11 paycheck due to a system error. MCPS apologized and promised corrections but offered no firm timeline.

Employee Uncertainty Persists

Despite MCPS’s assurances that “all employees will receive pay on system pay dates as expected,” widespread uncertainty remains among summer workers. Many report continued confusion, incorrect pay rates, or a complete lack of payment, nearly a month into the summer session.

Several employees tell Moderately MOCO that they are only now realizing they were not paid at all, or paid incorrectly, for work completed in June or early July.

Lawsuit and Community Impact

MCEA’s class action grievance could mark a turning point if a legal remedy is pursued. Both unions are urging members to complete documentation and remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, impacted educators and staff continue to scramble to verify hours, submit new forms, and cover expenses that should have been met weeks ago.

What’s Next?

Neither MCPS nor MCEA have not responded to Moderately MOCO’s request for comment as of publication. We will update this article if a response is received.

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