Orders for the payment of wages and payroll orders and warrants for the payment of wages of employees a part of the classified service in any community college district shall be drawn at least once during each calendar month, for those districts not using Section 85244 or 85260. Payment shall be made on the last working day of the month in which the employee was in paid status.

This section shall not prohibit a community college district from making a payment of earned salary prior to the last working day of the pay period or of the month.

This section shall apply to districts that have adopted the merit system in the same manner and effect as if it were a part of Article 3 (commencing with Section 88060).