Starting July 1, paid parental leave is available for qualifying employees of Chesterfield County Public Schools. This exciting new benefit is part of the School Board’s revised budget for fiscal year 2025.
Paid parental leave demonstrates the commitment of CCPS to recruit and retain outstanding employees in order to support student success. A 2022 study found that only 18% of school districts offer paid parental leave. That seems to be changing, but a 2023 Education Week article stated that most educators in the United States still do not have access to paid parental leave.
Under the new policy, eligible CCPS employees can receive up to eight weeks of paid parental leave to care for their newborn or adopted child, foster care placement or medical recovery related to the birth of a child. Eligible employees can receive up to four weeks of paid parental leave to care for a parent who is ill. Previously in these situations, CCPS employees had to use a combination of sick leave, which is paid leave, and Family Medical Leave Act leave, which is unpaid leave.
Most employees of Chesterfield County Public Schools are eligible for paid parental leave. The school system’s paid parental leave policy (new School Board policy 5255) matches the paid parental leave guidelines that cover employees of Chesterfield County government. This Q&A document provides additional info about paid parental leave. To request paid parental leave, email benefits@ccpsnet.net
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