Hempfield substitutes getting a pay raise

Substitute teachers in the Hempfield Area School District will see a boost in their daily pay, an effort by district leaders to remain competitive during the pandemic.

Board members this week voted to bump pay rates to $200 per day for substitute teachers who are teaching for a contracted teacher on an approved leave of absence, and $150 per day for day-to-day substitutes. Substitutes previously earned $100 per day for the first 30 days and then $120 per day, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said.

“The increase is necessary to remain competitive,” Wolicki said. “Our classrooms are without substitute teachers daily, and we need individuals with teaching degrees to find our jobs more competitive than working at Walmart, Target or other businesses that have increased hourly wages.”

Districts across the country have struggled to retain substitute teachers throughout the pandemic, which only amplified a yearslong shortage.

In an October survey by the EdWeek Research Center, 25% of district leaders and principals said they were experiencing severe staffing shortages, while 15% described the situation as very severe. The shortages are highest, the survey found, among substitute teachers, bus drivers and paraprofessionals.

Trouble with filling those roles led districts to rely on emergency certifications, which allow individuals with a bachelor’s degree to teach for a year.

Others turned to pay raises for substitute teachers to help fill the gaps.

Norwin in December 2020 increased rates to $120 per day, a $15 raise. It was the first raise for substitutes since the 2016-17 school year.

Similarly, Greater Latrobe in August increased rates for day-to-day substitutes from $90 to $110.

“I always like it when we’re able to give a raise, but we absolutely have to now,” Hempfield School Board member Diane Ciabattoni said. “We’re trying to attract substitutes, and we have to do something to encourage it a little bit more. … I think we definitely needed to be a little bit more competitive, too.”

The pay raise goes into effect Monday. The school board is using ESSER funds to cover the costs.