- April 26, 2024
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Volusia County Schools has increased the hourly wages for substitute teachers, an effort district officials are hoping will help meet the current classroom needs in a year where virtually all labor sectors, including education, are experiencing a shortage of workers.
The School Board voted 4-1 at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26, to raise the hourly wage to $13.50, and to add a school-based substitute position at each school, the latter of which would be eligible for health and retirement benefits, with an hourly wage of $11.50. School Board member Carl Persis voted against, as he believed the school-based position's wages should be higher and without benefits.
“We know that this is an out-of-the box approach, but we also know that in order to do what is best for our kids and ensure that we have the adults on our campus, we need to think out of the box," said Mark West, chief human resources officer for Volusia County Schools.
Prior to the increase, the minimum hourly rate for VCS substitute teachers was $9.54.
But there are some who believe the district should be focusing on hiring the teachers and paraprofessionals needed to relieve current overworked staff instead.
Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert said that they believe the added temporary school-based substitute position violates a settlement reached in 2012 with a former teachers union. Albert said she had sent the district a cease and desist order.
“If this is the way we want to do it, we’ll do it," Albert said. "It can be avoided. I hope we can get an agreement because bringing someone in as a benefits-eligible employee that is permanent but temporary makes absolutely no sense.”
Kevin Pendley, the school district's attorney, said VCS did review the settlement from that agreement, but that it had to do with class size amendment and instances where a certified teacher was co-teaching in the same classroom as a non-certified teacher.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with substitute teachers, in my opinion, at all," Pendley said.
School Board member Ruben Colon said the practice of offering temporary employees a choice between a higher wage and a lower wage with benefits was standard in other lines of work, such as in health care.
The wage increase is something that will be sustainable for the district, he said. West detailed that the increase is estimated to cost the district about $800,000 more a year.
“I’m hoping we’ll be able to do similar for others as negotiations go on," Colon said.
Negotiations with VUE regarding $500 signing bonuses, and finders' bonuses of an equal amount, for paraprofessionals are ongoing.
“We’re hopeful that we’re going to reach an agreement that’s going to offer our paras a very competitive rate of pay," West said.
