Hub+ is the new MCPS Human Capital Management system, which was implemented in December 2024. It manages information about time off, entering time cards and payroll. Throughout the summer and into the new school year, MCPS employees have been experiencing difficulties with Hub+, specifically when it comes to their paychecks. Teachers and other staff members have reported issues with entering hours and not receiving their paychecks at all.
MCPS is aware of this issue, and Superintendent Thomas Taylor released a statement about it on Aug. 1, where he wrote that resolving the payroll issue is one of their top priorities. Additionally, he wrote that MCPS is working around the clock on the issue and created a pay issue reporting form for employees who are still having problems.
Teachers and staff throughout the county have been affected by this issue, including at this school. Long-term substitute Anna-May Hansen has dealt with a multitude of issues when it comes to payroll. “Suddenly, on my paycheck, I got a deduction in May for something I got paid for in March,” Hansen said.
This meant that in May, two months after Hansen was paid for March, her original paycheck had been deducted by the county. “They’re still figuring it out. I still haven’t gotten my pay that they deducted last year,” Hansen said.
The original purpose of the new Hub+ system was to create a better experience for employees. Yet, the exact opposite has happened as hundreds of staff across the county are facing a plethora of issues. “The new system will allow MCPS to grow and adapt to our evolving needs over time,” Taylor said at a Board of Education meeting on Nov. 7, 2024.
Over the summer, the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) filed a class action grievance against MCPS due to payment concerns. The MCEA represents teachers across the county and filed the grievance under a collective bargaining agreement, which is a contract that outlines the terms between an employer and its union. The MCEA released a press statement on Jul. 28, where MCEA Vice President Danillya Wilson said, “These disruptions are unacceptable. These payment problems interrupt the ability of our members to pay bills on time and meet their families’ financial obligations.”
Additionally, SEIU 500, MCPS’s contracted union, planned a rally to protest against payroll issues and concerns about working conditions. Employees showed up to share their concerns and push MCPS to meet their demands. “It’s not working for our members, and we have so many people who are not getting paid, getting paid the wrong amount, can’t enter their hours, it’s a big mess,” director of representation at SEIU 500, Rebecca Drayton, said.
The payroll issues are also affecting staff’s personal lives. With all the issues from Hub+, employees may be worried. “It’s heartbreaking because I work hard and my time is valuable, and I feel like it’s total disrespect,” vice president for the food service chapter of SEIU 500, Christina Brunner, said.
On top of being stressed out emotionally, the main concern for employees is the financial factor. “We have gotten emails from people who are behind on their rent, behind on their mortgage, getting eviction notices, having to choose between do I eat this week or do I pay my bills,” Drayton said.
