Cape board approves pay change for substitute teachers

Substitute teachers in the Cape Henlopen School District will see an increase in their paychecks twice as fast as before, after a unanimous board decision Dec. 9.

Supervisor of Human Resources Ned Gladfelter requested the change to incentivize the district’s current teacher substitutes. 

Previously, a cumulative-term substitute was defined as someone who has worked a minimum of 50 days during the current school year; on the 51st day of service, the substitute received a 15 percent increase in pay for the year.

Gladfelter recommended reducing the number of cumulative days needed from 50 to 25 so the substitute would receive the increase on the 26th day.

Superintendent Bob Fulton said district substitutes have worked especially hard over the past couple years, and they are one of the reasons elementary schools had in-person classes five days a week last year. Substitutes have other options that pay as much or more, and it was important to retain them, he said.

“This will reward those who work for us more, more,” Fulton said. “We want to thank the people who have been working with us, not just with words, but with additional money.”

The district is looking for other ways to incentivize teachers and increase pay for substitutes, Fulton said. At times, he said, other teachers or administrators must cover for absent teachers, and increasing the pay for substitute teachers could help alleviate that.

Board member Jason Bradley said it was a great idea, and many businesses offer employees a sign-on bonus after a certain number of days.

Substitute teachers who have reached the 26th day of service this year will receive back pay, Fulton said.