School district broadens incentives for substitute teachers, though base salary remains under that of local fast-food workers.
In the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), officials are reviewing the pay rates for substitute teachers in an effort to close the wage gap with local businesses and other school districts. The new incentives, previously hard to reach, now include all or most substitutes for certain days or longer commitments.
Previously, substitute teachers were paid less per hour than a local McDonald's crew member. However, this issue was brought to light by investigative reporting by Sarah Horbacewicz, a reporter specializing in covering stories in Boulder and Broomfield counties. The average hourly rate for substitute teachers at BVSD, considering an 8-hour day with a half-hour lunch, is approximately $16.67.
Crystal Gallegos, a substitute teacher in Lafayette, shared her concerns about the current pay rate. Gallegos, a mother of four and holder of a master's degree in education, has been subbing for BVSD for the last two years. She is considering leaving BVSD due to the current pay rate and is even considering a job at McDonald's for a higher wage.
In response, BVSD is focusing on retaining full-time teachers and providing student services. Officials from BVSD claim their pay for substitutes is competitive. However, they are now expanding the incentives for substitutes, including para-professionals in special education, to make it easier for more substitutes to benefit.
The Adams County School District in Colorado changed its payment structure for substitute teachers following Horbacewicz's investigative reporting. In Boulder, McDonald's crew members were offered starting pay between $19-$21/hour in August, which is significantly higher than the base pay for substitute teachers at BVSD.
Readers can send story ideas to Sarah Horbacewicz at [email protected]. The new policy for substitute teacher pay and incentives can be found in full below. Gallegos and Horbacewicz's work underscores the importance of investigative journalism in ensuring fair wages for all workers, including those who play crucial roles in our education system.
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