SACS considers pay boost for subs
Other districts have done so to alleviate shortage
ASHLEY SLOBODA | The Journal Gazette
A school district that s seen its substitute teacher pool shrink dramatically because of the pandemic is looking to boost those employees pay.
But leaders of Southwest Allen County Schools acknowledge the $5 boost to the daily rate might not expand the roster of subs.
“I m not sure how much more we re going to attract,” said LuAnn Erickson, human resources director. “I think people want to be at Southwest, they want to be subs here, and everybody s struggling with finding enough subs.”
Erickson brought the proposal to the school board last week, months after Fort Wayne Community Schools and East Allen County Schools raised compensation for their substitute teachers.
Parents upset with missing athletics
Voice concerns during SACS board meeting
ASHLEY SLOBODA | The Journal Gazette
An emotional Phil Downs pounded the table Tuesday as he briefed a crowd about the difficulties he faces.
The Southwest Allen County Schools superintendent must keep classes going, he works alongside people grieving family lost to the coronavirus, and he leads employees scared to come to work because of the health crisis.
“It s a pandemic,” Downs said, exasperated. “And it is absolutely important that we all stick together and be a good team about this. That s been the theme I ve had since March. And since March – and I don t like to be melodramatic about this, because it s not my nature – but it is very much on my mind all the time that the decisions that we are making here and what we do here has life and death implications. And I don t take that lightly, at all.”