Theresa was addressing the SF school board about substitute teacher pay last night. She basically showed the school board the disparity between sub pay and full-time pay. It is pretty shocking.
Three years ago the substitutes here in Sioux falls were getting $80 a day. (Actually it was about 3 and a half years ago) After visiting with friends that fall who were subbing in the surrounding districts, I discovered that many of those schools were paying more than Sioux Falls. I then called the School board president and inquired about how they determined sub pay for Sioux Falls. I discovered in our conversation, that he was under the impression that subs were represented by SDEA in salary negotiations each spring. I informed him that we were not part of that organization and were not getting periodic pay raises like the teachers. I also had the same conversation with people in the human resource department. About 2 weeks after those conversations, the substitutes received a letter informing us that we were very important to the district, and that we would be getting a pay raise from $80 a day to $90 a day. This was a wonderful gesture of appreciation from the school district at that time. This fall, at the in-service for the substitutes, the issue of pay rates in our area came up again. Realizing that the area schools were once again paying more than Sioux Falls, and that our substitutes had not had a pay raise in these 3 years, I felt that perhaps conversations with the school board, the superintendent, and Todd Vik would be helpful in bringing about some added compensation. I do appreciate being able to visit with each one of you this fall. After I talked with each one of you, I called the Superintendents and business managers in the surrounding schools, and have compiled the information about sub pay, and 1st year teacher salaries.  I was very impressed with the way West Central and Tea have worked out a system to pay a higher wage to the substitutes with a South Dakota Teaching certificate. I also think that those districts that implement a permanent pay increase after 10 or 15 days are wise for rewarding people for their total length of service for the year. I think it is important for the public to understand what a teacher makes each day. I choose the lowest teacher daily rate to make a point that substitutes are stepping in and working to keep the flow of education happening at a bargain price. (My friends who have a $50,000 salary are making $256 a day) As you know, the substitutes have no bargaining power within the school district. I was surprised to learn in my discussions with you this fall that the teachers, nurses, secretaries, cooks, custodians, principals, and support staff of the district are all represented, and protected by unions. These organized labor groups negotiate pay increases, benefits and employee rights each year. Most of these groups get a cost of living increase annually. I was told that the only groups of workers who did not get a pay increase last year were the substitutes and the seasonal people who mow the lawn. You have many talented, dedicated, hardworking people who are willing to use their education to help the students in our school. They are the substitutes. These people are a vital part of the system and we are entrusting them to educate our students in the absence of the teacher. The substitutes need to be compensated on a regular basis, (Just like the other employees in the school) for their commitment, experience and education.
AREA SUBSTITUTE PAY RATES AND FIRST YEAR TEACHER SALARIES
WEST CENTRAL SIOUX DISTRICT
528-3217
South Dakota Certified substitute—–$107 a day
Non- certified substitute—————–$97 a day
Starting teacher salary– $30,000 # of contract days—176                                   starting teacher pay per day –$170
TEA SCHOOL DISTRICT
498-2700
South Dakota Certified Substitute——–$100 a day *($110 after 30 days)
Four year degree substitute———$85 a day *($95 after 30 days)
Non-certified substitute———-$75 a day *($85 after 30 days)
*All three groups get a PERMANENT $5 pay RAISE per day after 15 days of service. All three groups get a SECOND PERMANENT $5 pay RAISE per day after the next 15 days of service.
Starting teacher salary—$28,450 # of contract days—181
Starting teacher pay per day—–$157
HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT
743-2567
All Substitutes ——-$95 a day
PERMANENT pay RAISE to $110 a day after the first 10 days.
Starting teacher salary—$31,300 # of contract days 180
Starting teacher pay per day——$174
BRANDON SCHOOL DISTRICT
582-2058
All Substitutes—-$85 a day
Starting teacher salary—-$32,767 # of contract days  183
Starting teacher pay per day——-$179
SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
All Substitutes—-$90 a day
All substitutes get a TEMPORARY pay increase of $25 for substituting for 5 consecutive days.
Starting teacher salary—-$32,000 # of contract days  188
Starting teacher pay per day——-$170
l3wis 