Paid maternity is only required in seven states; in all other states, it is up to the district, including Hazelwood West High School. Giving paid maternity leave can keep teachers for longer and make the school a more attractive choice for new teachers. Hazelwood West High School does not offer paid maternity leave of any kind. It is up to the teachers to save up their sick days and paid time off. 

If teachers return before they are ready, it not only affects their mental and physical health but can also impact the students. Some teachers can afford to stay home, not meaning they do not feel the consequences, but that their situation allows it. 

Some districts in the area offer paid maternity leave, such as Pattonville. Having paid maternity leave helps teachers stay. Many teachers have moved or gone to a different district that offers paid maternity leave. Teachers having to take a shorter leave or simply not get paid throughout the time can take away some of the joy and add more stress, as they worry about all the new expenses of a new baby.

 “If my circumstances were different, if my husband didn’t make as much money or if I had to take March to May unpaid, it would have taken away some of my joy of staying home with my son.” Teacher Jessica Baker, said. 

Teachers can apply for short-term disability, getting a fraction of their pay. However, this is not a livable salary; some teachers already live paycheck to paycheck. Getting a fraction of it is not a substitute for paid maternity leave. Implementing paid maternity leave would mean the district would have to increase its spending on teachers; it would cost about $9,000 per district. However, comparing the extra money spent and teacher retention between districts that give their teachers paid maternity leave and those that don’t, the ones that do have more teachers staying throughout their whole career instead of switching between different schools throughout their career. 

Limits exist for teachers outside of maternity leave as well. Teachers in the Hazelwood district only get 16 days a year, so saving up enough days to get paid throughout their entire maternity leave is not plausible. It can also cause them to not take a sick day when they need it, thinking if they use one it is one less day of pay while they are on leave with their newborn. 

The new expenses of a baby are undeniable, getting all new supplies, diapers, wipes, toys, bottles and clothes. It can cost a new mother anywhere from $1,100-$3000 a month for the first year. With all the expenses new mothers have to go through, how do they make it through without a paycheck? Some teachers have to pull out of their savings while some have to rely on their spouses. Teachers shouldn’t have to go through a pay cut just to have a baby. 

“A change in my household of that month that I wasn’t getting paid, lessened our miscellaneous fund to use. We had to use more savings for the extra expenses of a baby.” Baker, said.