NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The public schools are hoping to recruit and retain substitute teachers by bumping up their pay.
The School Committee earlier this month approved increasing the pay scale by $35 to $55 a day and creating a new base of $130 for substitutes with fewer credentials.
"It's been very hard to get substitutes. Many substitutes sign up to sub in multiple districts, and so in order to remain competitive ... we really needed to kind of align our expectations for substitutes, as well as the salary with our neighboring districts," said Superintendent Barbara Malkas.
Nancy Rauscher, director of school finance and operations, said she had contacted business administrators at other schools to work out what they were paying substitutes.
"I did a blend, and it was Lenox, Mount Greylock and Hoosac Valley, and we're landing somewhere right in the middle," she said. "Mount Greylock is at the highest and then Lenox and Hoosac Valley are lower."
Mount Greylock is paying $210 for a certified/retired teacher, Hoosac $140 and Lenox $150, with less for just a college degree. North Adams has been paying a straight $115 per diem and $130 for permanent daily subs.
The new scale increases the per diem and permanent to $150 with college degree or $170 for certified/retired teachers.
A permanent daily sub is a full-time employee who works five days a week and receives benefits. Per diems work up to three days a week.
A new base at $130 allows for at least 48 college credits or passing the ParaPro Assessment, required for teaching assistants.
"One of the objectives was to literally increase the pool of substitutes available to us," said Rauscher. "What we did is we took a look at some of the local districts and their configurations, and also what their scales look like. And one of the decisions that was made was to actually eliminate the criteria of having to have a college degree to be a substitute teacher."
She estimated the total cost for the raises at $55,000, or about one full-time teaching equivalent.
Committee member Richard Alcombright asked which category took the most positions; Assistant Superintendent Timothy Callahan responded, "the problem is we don't have any subs."
But he estimated most would fall in the "college degree" category though the school system hasn't been making that distinction in hiring.
"They tend not to be certified. We haven't had the credential lowered to just a ParaPro ... we're hoping that that will open our pool," Callahan said. "But the reality is, myself, Barbara, the principals, are subbing for these classes right now, so it is a less expensive option."
Malkas said the contract allows for teaching assistants to cover for a teacher, "to sub in effect, so this amount aligns to the in-district TA who has the same credentials as our first per diem category. ...
"So it only makes sense that if we feel that the classroom can be subbed with an existing TA, with that level of credential, that that also be available to individuals who have decided to sign up to be a per diem."
In other business:
• The committee approved school improvement plans and contract language for salary differentials of $3,760 for certified support services (occupational and physical therapists, speech language pathologists and teachers of visually impaired).
Malkas said this for recruitment and retention as North Adams is not only competing with other school districts but health-care establishments as well.
• Accepted a $500 donation to the Drury band from 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance Inc. and donations of $5,000 each from the Ruth Proud Trust and from an anonymous donor to benefit the afterschool ski club for Grades 3 to 6.
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Drury Selected as U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jacinta Felix, a senior at Drury High School, has been selected as a Massachusetts nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced.
Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston praised Felix's selection, which places her among the top students in the Commonwealth. The selection process was highly competitive, with submissions evaluated by the DESE review team in October.
"We are thrilled to have Jacinta represent Massachusetts as one of our Presidential Scholar nominees," said Drury High School Principal Stephanie Kopala. "Her hard work and accomplishments reflect the excellence we strive to foster in our schools."
Felix's nomination will advance to the U.S. Department of Education's national review team, which will invite her to submit an application for further consideration for the award.
"Jacinta's outstanding academic and personal achievements demonstrate the excellence present in our students at Drury High School," said Barbara Malkas, Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools. "We thank Principal Kopala and the school team for their support as Jacinta pursues this honor."
Felix will be honored during the Drury Student Recognition event on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at 1:30 PM. Community members are invited to attend.
The U.S. Department of Education is expected to announce Presidential Scholar awardees later this spring.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is ensuring that students have resources when they're running low on necessities like food and care items.
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Through the fall, the two have been busy making the space their own with the installation of the XL Arcade, which has 40 new arcade games for kids and adults, and other improvements throughout the building including a ramp to the event space. click for more
It's been 26 years since the concept of a Connecticut to Vermont bike trail was first proposed — and 130 since a proposal was put forward for a path between North Adams and Williamstown. click for more
