Chesapeake Public Schools to shift to biweekly pay and new UKG system starting July 1
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Summary
Chesapeake Public Schools presented details of its UKG payroll implementation, including a move to biweekly pay, pay-in-arrears, a one-time transition supplement for eligible employees and the elimination of 10- and 11-month pay options after a one-year phase option.
Chesapeake Public Schools officials outlined a plan to switch the district’s human resources, payroll and timekeeping systems to the cloud-based UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) platform, with a go-live date set for July 1, 2025. The change will move employees to a biweekly pay schedule, implement pay-in-arrears, and alter benefit deduction timing and pay-option structures.
At the board’s information agenda, Miss Ladd (CPS staff member) described UKG as an integrated, cloud-based HR and payroll platform and said the district expects benefits in transparency, efficiency and employee self-service. Doctor Austin (CPS staff member) reviewed frequently asked questions submitted through the district’s “Let’s Talk” forum and the rollout timeline.
Why it matters: the switch alters when and how employees are paid and how benefits are deducted, which affects household cash flow for some staff and requires outreach and training from the district.
The district’s key changes and timelines: - Go-live: July 1, 2025, when UKG becomes active for CPS operations. - Pay schedule: Employees will move from monthly/semimonthly schedules to biweekly pay (26 paydays per year; 27 paydays in 2026). The district will pay in arrears (compensation distributed after each pay period closes). - Transition supplement: A one-time supplement will be included with first paychecks in the 2025–26 school year for qualifying employees. To qualify, an employee must (a) have a 12-month pay-option contract for FY 2025–26 and (b) have been contracted in FY 2024–25. - Benefits deductions: Starting January 2026, benefits will be deducted from 24 paychecks per year (twice monthly year-round) rather than the prior schedule. - Pay-option changes: The district will move employees to a 12-month pay option. Current 10-month and 11-month pay options will be eliminated; employees currently on a 10-month option may request to remain on that option for one additional year during 2025–26 but will not receive the transition supplement if they do so. - First paychecks under the new schedule: July 11, 2025, is the first paycheck for 12-month employees (including the transition supplement); September 5, 2025, is the first pay date for most 10-month (teacher) staff under the new schedule.
CPS said the district provided materials and meetings with department heads and principals March 19–April 4, and offered online tutorials, phone and email support, and optional listening sessions. The Let’s Talk Q&A had received 91 questions as of March 27 and the district reported an average response time of about half a day and a 9.5/10 response score.
District staff also noted calculation tools for employees to model paycheck changes, and that payroll and HR staff were available to attend staff meetings. Miss Kelly Tisdale was named in the presentation as the project manager supporting implementation.
Staff emphasized training and communication will continue through rollout, and urged employees to use the district’s Let’s Talk channel for questions. No formal board action was required for the information item.
