At the November 15 meeting of the Manchester Community Schools’ Board of Education, one of the discussion items on the agenda was an increase in “guest teacher” pay increases, in order to attract and retain more substitute teachers to the district.

School board president Ryan Novess explained, “The increase of substitute teacher pay was initiated by Dr. Bezeau and the administration. The Board has worked to consistently impress that pay needs to be competitive in order to retain and attract substitutes as needed but the pay scale, and these recent pay increases, were drawn up by district administration.”

Dr. Brad Bezeau, superintendent, noted that the base pay increase for guest teachers on a daily rate increased from $80 to $95 per day. In addition, the pay scale for “Exceptional Substitute” teachers (longtime substitute teachers within the district), was increased from $95 to $105 per day. Those substitutes classified as “Daily Fill” substitutes — those who are guaranteed a job if they are willing to substitute teach every day — were granted a pay increase from $115 to $120 per day. Long-term substitutes, who are responsible for lesson planning, assessment, etc. (normally filling in for teachers who are on an extended leave) begin at $95 per day for the first 30 days of instruction, and increases to $170 per day thereafter.

“We have been incredibly fortunate to have long-time, dedicated substitute teachers that have stayed with us during the challenging times of the Pandemic,” Bezeau said. “Although we can’t always equal the pay increases in guest teacher pay that larger school districts can do, we felt that it was important to honor our guest teachers and to make it more worthwhile for their efforts on behalf of our students.”

Novess noted that each district sets its own rates for substitute teacher pay. “The district does have preferred subs that can be on-call and long term subs that can float from building to building as needed. We are quite fortunate on that front, but there are definitely instances where we can be thin,” he said.

Finding substitute teachers can be difficult under normal circumstances, but Novess admits that the problem has been heightened this year and is a much more complex issue than just the pay scales.

“I’m speculating but some are likely moving on to permanent positions or seeking other employment, which will reduce the pool of substitutes to call on,” he said. “I am thankful that Dr. Bezeau and the administrators have been able to fill in the gaps as needed. We have not had school days moved to a virtual format due to staffing shortages and raising the substitute teacher pay scale will further guard against that; while rewarding subs already onboard.”

Bezeau concluded, “Our substitute teachers often say that they won’t work in other districts, because they have developed close and meaningful working relationships with many of our teachers and staff, and they love Manchester.”

Are you interested in becoming a substitute teacher for Manchester Community Schools? Contact Human Resources Coordinator, Laura Neal, via e-mail at lneal@mcs.k12.mi.us or via telephone at 734.428.9711 extension 1003.