Board approves substitute administrator position at $50 per hour to create on‑call pool

The Ferguson‑Florissant School District Board of Education voted to create and authorize hiring for a substitute‑administrator position paid at $50 per hour, the administration said. The district described the role as an on‑call pool of vetted administrators who can be assigned to schools during planned absences to maintain safety and operations.

In a presentation to the board, an administration presenter identified as Dr. Chambers outlined the plan: the district will post the title, screen credentials, interview candidates and develop a pool to be called by executive directors or HR when an administrator is out on approved leave. “We do not have an approved rate or a title for an administrator substitute,” the presenter said, explaining the need for a consistent, board‑approved rate.

The administration told the board the new pay will be charged against the certified administrative salaries budget line; staff said it will come from existing salary allocations and that the board can consider a budget amendment to allocate a specific amount to the new line for monitoring. Board members asked for clarity about tracking the new line item and for an initial allotment to be identified in any forthcoming budget amendment so the board can monitor use.

One board member observed that historically substitute principals were sometimes paid differently at higher rates; the administration said it could not locate a previously approved substitute‑administrator title and favored a consistent as‑needed rate to avoid ad hoc payments.

A motion to approve the position and pay rate passed on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes. The board directed administration and finance staff to provide clearer budget line proposals in the next budget amendment process so usage can be tracked.