/ Modified aug 17, 2022 2:55 p.m.

Amphitheater School District teachers complain about missing paychecks

Some teachers have not gotten paychecks for the last two pay periods

Keeling Elementary Keeling Elementary School is in the Amphitheater school district.

Some teachers in the Amphitheater School District have gone two pay periods without receiving a paycheck for summer school and worry they may be in danger of missing a third.

Today district superintendent Todd Jaeger sent an apology to all Amphi employees

In it, he said many of the problems were caused by technical issues - what he called "systems problems" and "Internet outages," But he was not specific, and did not say all the problems were technical or unavoidable .

One of the teachers who has not been paid, Monet Richards, says the communication between the district and teachers has been inadequate and that it has done nothing to help those who have gone without pay to cope.

"They are refusing to cut paper checks," she said. "My principal and other principals are loaning staff money, and the only responses we are getting are placing the blame on everything and anything other than the district."

Richards says they still don't know whether they will be paid next week and that is a real concern.

"Last time this happened, people were not able to make their rent on time because it was the pay period before the first of the month and that will be the case for this upcoming pay period," she said. "We're depending on that check to come through in time so we can pay our bills, pay our mortgages or rent and we're not being guaranteed that."

While the district says many of the issues have now been worked out - and the rest will be soon - Richards says she and the other teachers remain worried and confused.

The Amphitheater district was unable to provide an interview to AZPM for this report.

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