In preparation for a possible government shutdown as soon as this weekend, DoDEA issued an information sheet (reposted at https://www.feaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DoDEA-Fact-Sheet-for-Shutdown-Furlough-FINAL.pdf) on implications of a potential shutdown. The DoDEA Director also sent the message below to all employees.
DoDEA Employees,
As you are aware, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The current appropriations provided by Congress will expire September 30, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Without enactment of an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution, all Federal agencies, including DoDEA, will be required to execute contingency plans for a lapse in appropriations (commonly referred to as a “shutdown”) on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
During a shutdown, only excepted employees are permitted to work. All other employees are required by law to be furloughed until a new appropriations bill or continuing resolution is in place. In the event of a shutdown, DoDEA will follow DoD guidance:
- Schools will remain in session. All school-level employees are excepted and will continue to operate as regularly scheduled; however, sports (including practices) and extracurricular activities which will pause during a shutdown.
- All District and Community offices will continue to operate in direct support of the schools, to include FIST employees assigned to the district and/or schools.
- Region Offices will be at minimal staffing; excepted employees will be notified by their supervisor.
- Headquarters will also be at minimal staffing; excepted employees will be notified by their supervisor.
- All employees are to report as directed (in-person or virtually) to their supervisor on Monday, October 2, 2023, at their normal time. Headquarters and Region office employees will be briefed by their supervisors on the situation and all non-excepted employees will be given furlough notices.
A government shutdown will impact DoDEA, and all Federal employees, in a number of ways. Pay will be interrupted for all employees, whether excepted or non-excepted. In the event of a shutdown, many banks and credit unions serving Federal employees will offer assistance through various programs. I would encourage you to check with your financial institution to determine what assistance is available.
Our colleagues and friends will be impacted in various ways by the shutdown and it is important to stay connected. The DoD Employee Assistance Program and its resources will continue to be available at (866) 580-9046 or www.MagellanAscend.com.
DoDEA has established a webpage with additional information regarding the potential furlough to assist all employees; it will be linked from www.dodea.edu. Information will also be posted on the DoDEA Facebook page.
Regardless of what actions Congress does or does not take over the coming days, I am confident that DoDEA will continue to provide students with the highest quality education. Our support to military readiness at installations around the world remains strong – just as it has in the face of every challenge we’ve encountered.
Thank you so much for all you do.
Thomas Brady
DoDEA Director
