School committee raises long-term substitute nurse pay to $300 a day to fill vacancies

The Holliston School Committee voted unanimously Aug. 28 to raise the long-term substitute (LTS) daily rate for nurses from $250 to $300 for the current school year, administrators said. Doctor Jordan and other administrators recommended the temporary pay increase to help fill long-term nursing positions and staff field trips and screenings. Under the proposal discussed at the meeting, a 0.5 long-term substitute position would be paid $150 per day under the same rate structure while the district seeks to make the role a permanent 0.5 position in next year’s budget. Nurse leaders told the committee they had seen difficulty recruiting candidates for LTS nursing roles and for coverage on field trips, and that offices were receiving many calls when teachers were absent. In discussion, committee members said the increase would make the district more competitive with surrounding towns. Committee member Donna seconded the motion; the chair called the vote and recorded it as carrying 7–0. Superintendent Dr. Kauska and committee members said the administration will propose funding the permanent 0.5 position during the district’s budget process next year if recruitment remains a problem. No change to the general substitute rate was proposed that evening; administrators said they would return with proposals if problems persisted.