Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order ensuring support staff of public schools can be paid for the remainder of their contract despite school buildings being closed.

The order clarifies any ambiguity that existed relating to the amount of paid leave and benefit coverage these employees can have during this emergency.

Stitt has been seeking a legislative remedy for the nearly 41,000 support staffers, but those efforts stalled when the state Legislature was forced to halt meeting due to the spread of the virus. Under state statute, district teachers and administrators were able to continue receiving pay after the State Board of Education voted March 16 to close schools until April 6. The same protections, however, are not automatically provided to school support staff.