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School committee raises substitute rates after debate; paraeducator subs receive same increase
Summary
After committee discussion and an amendment, members voted to increase hourly substitute rates across categories by $1.50 for the 2025–26 school year, matching paraeducator subs with other substitute roles to avoid morale issues, the business administrator said the budget impact is expected to be small.
The Northampton School Committee voted Sept. 11 to increase several substitute hourly rates for the 2025–26 school year after a motion and an amendment that raised all listed substitute categories by $1.50 per hour.
Business Administrator Bobby (last name not given during the meeting) told the committee the proposed increases were recommended by human resources and would bring bus monitors, cafeteria helpers, clerical substitutes, and paraeducator substitutes closer in hourly pay. He initially proposed raising cafeteria, clerical and bus monitor rates from $15.00 to $16.50 and paraeducator subs from $16.00 to $16.50. Committee members argued for pay equity across categories and to avoid morale problems for the district's lowest-paid staff.
After discussion about budget impact and staffing needs, a committee member moved to amend the proposal so all four categories would receive a $1.50-per-hour increase. The amendment was seconded and approved by roll call. A subsequent motion to adopt the increased rates as amended passed on roll call. Business Administrator Bobby said the overall fiscal impact is "negligible" given expected usage and that cafeteria increases can be absorbed by the cafeteria revolving account; he cautioned that higher paraeducator usage for coverage would be the costliest if absences grow.
Committee members who pressed for the broader raise argued that paraeducators and other substitute staff are among the lowest-paid employees and that parity would support recruitment and morale. Member Michael Stein said he supported the increase and asked that staff include modeling of the budgetary effect in future requests. The committee approved the amended increase and instructed staff to track costs as the year progresses.
The committee did not change the underlying multi‑year labor contracts; this action adjusts daily substitute hourly pay within existing budget authority.
