Union representative urges board to reconsider reducing building substitute rate

Anne Marie Finan, an elementary music teacher and president of the Peconic Township Education Association, used the June 9 public-comment period to urge the board to reconsider a proposed reduction in building substitute pay.

Finan said the board was considering lowering the building substitute rate “from $1.65 to $1.50” next year and called that change “a pay cut” for substitutes who work daily in a single building and perform duties that go beyond the work of a daily substitute. She told the board building substitutes “are integral parts of our faculty,” that they provide continuity of instruction, communicate with teachers and families, and that a $0.15 reduction “is going to be felt by them.”

Finan noted the district’s rates have been competitive compared with neighboring districts and said the association planned a ratification vote on a tentative agreement during the week; she said chief negotiator Mr. Slaff was retiring and that contract communications would follow. She closed by asking the board to consider mitigating the proposed pay change for building substitutes.

Board members acknowledged the comment during a later discussion. In remarks during unfinished business, board members and administrators said the district had anticipated potential staffing changes while preparing the budget and that the board would continue to examine implications and discuss mitigation options. No board vote to change substitute pay was recorded during the June 9 meeting; the public comment requested reconsideration and raised concerns about retention and classroom continuity.