The EMPower payroll system has been full of bugs and problems since it was launched in January, resulting in hundreds of issues in teacher and staff paychecks, including some not getting paid at all.
Teachers and other workers have cited the payroll fiasco as a reason for leaving the district. In one case, a principal wrote a personal check for $4,500 to a teacher to help cover her rent until the district paid her for the month. Others have staged sit-ins at the district office to protest the problems.
District officials have vowed to prioritize fixing errors and ensuring all district workers receive pay owed, including any interest or fees accumulated because of late bill payments or overdrafts.
Yet months later, problems persist.
"In spite of significant preparation and planning, in the process of shifting from antiquated systems and processes to new ways of working, issues came up that have affected payments for SFUSD employees," according to the agenda item for the special 7:30 p.m. Wednesday meeting. "Staff have been working to investigate and remedy each individual issue of non-payment or underpayment and to identify any error patterns caused by a new process, data issue, or system configuration or defect so that corrections are made to reconcile pay issues and for subsequent pay periods."
The additional funding, if approved, would pay for a management consulting firm to clear the backlog of payroll problems, stabilize the system and help the district adapt to the new system.
The initial contract for the EMPower system was for $9.5 million, which was later increased to $11.1 million and then again to $13.7 million.
Superintendent Matt Wayne is recommending the board approve the contract, which would be paid for by salary savings from open positions in payroll, human resources, information technology and EMPowerSF support staff.
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