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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Weekend Outlook: Snow Days
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Check out the events happening in Berkshire County this weekend including fundraisers, snow events, and more.
Editor's Pick
Community Free Day
Mass MoCA, North Adams
Time: Saturday, 10 to 5
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art opens its galleries for a community celebration. Includes thematic museum tours and art-making in Kidspace and a performance by devynn emory at 4 p.m. in Building 5 to activate Jeffrey Gibson's exhibition "Power Full Because We're Different.
The Nothing Birds are a four-piece indie rock band from North Adams and Elenor Levine has been writing music for almost two decades, performing on stages including Mass MoCA.
Murder Mystery Dinner and Show
Greenock Country Club, Lee
Time: 6 p.m.
The Lee Middle and High School travel group is hosting an '80s murder-mystery fundraiser at the club. Buffet-style dinner and active participation in the show.
Bousquet Mountain Grommie Jam
Bousquet Mountain, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m.
Grommie Jam is a community get-together where skiers and riders ages 16 and younger come together. Open to all with a valid lift ticket or season pass; prizes from Berkshire Bike & Board.
Family Friendly Outdoor Adventures
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Enjoy winter at Mount Greylock with hot cocoa and campfires. Also enjoy outdoor activities like snow tubing, a snowshoe walk, and a mindfulness hike along the Bradley Farm trail.
Registration is required for the walk; call the visitor center at 413-499-4262.
Ghost Tour with Robert Oakes
Ventfort Hall and Mansion, Lenox
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
The Gilded Age mansion hosts a tour with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes, who will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate, sharing tales of its hauntings.
Admission is $30 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here.
The nonprofit organization on Tuesday celebrated its more than 60 volunteers who spent more than 8,500 hours last year feeding the community.
click for more
The college's search firm WittKieffer has already received 14 completed applications with another 15 expressing interest, said Trustees President Buffy Lord, and had more than 80 responses in the five days since the posting went up.
click for more
Wendy Penner can be found pretty much everywhere: leading local initiatives to address climate change and sustainability, championing public health approaches for substance abuse, and motivating citizens to defend their rights and the rights of others. click for more
Pupils at Brayton Elementary got to taste test a new side dish as chef Kyle Zegel passed out cups cider-glazed carrots on Friday for the children to try. click for more
