Substitute Teacher Shortage Sparks Pay Raise

Hingham Middle School (photo by Joshua Ross Photography)

December 21, 2021 By Carol Britton Meyer

In the wake of a particularly high number of absences among teachers at Hingham High School last Friday, the School Committee decided last night to increase the pay rate for new and experienced substitute teachers districtwide in an effort to attract more applicants due to the current shortage.

"We are in a crunch. We do need more people [to fill this role]," Chair Kerry Ni said.

Parent Heather Chisholm asked whether the school administration is addressing the high number of absences that occurred Dec. 17. "Why are teacher absences so high, especially at the high school, where last Friday the kids were sent to the cafeteria/auditorium because so many teachers were absent?" and there was also a shortage of substitutes.

"We may have eight to 10 teachers out [as an example], with only two substitutes available," Interim Supt. of Schools Gary Maestas said. "Our rates of pay are not competitive with neighboring school districts, and we are in direct competition with them."

The committee voted to increase the rate of pay per day from $93 to $113 for new teachers and from $105 to $125 for experienced teachers, effective Jan. 3, 2022 through the end of the current school year.

In the meantime, the human resources director will survey other school districts to see how the Hingham Public Schools rates compare and report back to the School Committee, which will decide whether to recommend a further adjustment at a later time.

Hingham Public Schools Director of Business and Support Services John Ferris noted that some substitutes sign up with a number of different school districts.

Resident Barbie Lynch, who is a substitute teacher herself, suggested that training be provided for substitute teachers specific to individual schools, as situations and practices may vary.

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