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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Companion Corner: Grey Boy at No Paws left Behind
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a new cat at No Paws Left Behind looking for his forever home.
iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.
Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair.
The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.
"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."
He does have feline herpes, also called feline viral rhinotracheitis, a contagious, common respiratory virus that is not curable but is manageable. It can go into remission but can flare-up in cats under stress. It is not contagious to humans. It's recommended Grey Boy not go to a home with another cat because of the possible stress. He could go home with a cat savvy dog and children.
"It is believed that he does have herpes, feline herpes, so he will, unfortunately, have to be an only cat going home, but he could potentially live with another cat [later] once he gets settled in, just due to stress," Howland said. "Herpes can become a little bit more active but doesn't stop him from being an active, happy cat."
Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.
"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."
Now that he is ready to be adopted he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.
"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."
Because of his herpes, he will occasionally have a sneezing fit he is perfectly healthy and is ready to find his forever family.
"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.
Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.
If you think Grey Boy is your next companion, you can contact the shelter or learn more on the shelter's website.
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