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Agawam School Committee approves minutes, multiple warrants and a change to long‑term substitute pay
Summary
On Feb. 13 the committee unanimously approved its Jan. 28 minutes, approved a set of payroll and vendor warrants totaling several hundred thousand dollars, and voted to change long‑term substitute pay rules to address recruitment challenges.
The Agawam School Committee unanimously approved three formal items during its Feb. 13 meeting: the Jan. 28, 2025 regular meeting minutes; six warrants totaling $6,586,619.49 in combined vendor and payroll payments; and SCR 25‑03, a change to the district's long‑term substitute pay policy.
Minutes: The committee moved and seconded approval of the Jan. 28 regular meeting minutes. The roll call vote was 7‑0 in favor (Missus Reid, Miss McDougall, Missus Rua, Mister Christopher, Missus DiMatteo, Mister Perry and Mayor Johnson). The motion was moved by Missus Reid and seconded by Miss McDougall.
Warrants: The committee read and approved the following warrants as a group by roll call (7‑0): - SW25‑279 in the amount of $64,889.12 - SW205‑706 warrant 25‑285 in the amount of $57,266.73 - SW205‑707 warrant 25‑286 in the amount of $151,376.38 - SW205‑708 warrant 25‑297 in the amount of $25,585.38 - SW205‑709 warrant 25‑298 in the amount of $172,559.76 - Payroll warrant PW25‑07 in the amount of $5,114,951.89
The motion to approve the warrants was moved by Miss McDougall and seconded by Mister Perry. Alexis called the roll; each committee member voted yes.
Long‑term substitute pay (SCR 25‑03): The committee unanimously approved SCR 25‑03, a change intended to make the district more competitive in recruiting substitutes for assignments lasting more than two weeks. Superintendent Martin said the district is "having a difficult time finding long term substitutes" and explained the proposal seeks two main changes: shorten the threshold that distinguishes short‑term from long‑term substitutes and pay known long‑term assignments at the long‑term rate from day one.
Under current practice, a short‑term substitute classification extends through 30 days and long‑term pay begins on day 31. The approved change reduces the short‑term threshold to 14 days and makes long‑term pay begin on day 15. The daily rate for short‑term substitutes remains $125 per day; the long‑term rate will be set at the equivalent of the district's first step for a new teacher (the exact dollar amount for that step was not specified in the meeting). Superintendent Martin said the district will also apply the long‑term rate from day one when a posted position is known at the outset to exceed two weeks.
The SCR 25‑03 motion was moved by Mister Perry and seconded by Mister Christopher. Roll‑call votes were recorded as yes from all seven members; outcome: approved.
No additional formal actions were taken. Several members offered recognitions and holiday wishes after the votes and the meeting adjourned.
