Clinton City School Board raises substitute pay to $100 a day

Clinton City School Board voted to increase daily substitute pay from $90 to $100 beginning Dec. 1 to help attract more qualified substitute teachers.

Board members and administrators said the district has struggled to fill substitute positions, which has frequently forced teaching assistants to cover classes and disrupted intervention schedules. Director of Schools (speaker identified in the transcript as the meeting host) explained the proposal and its rationale, saying, "I'm proposing that we increase it to $100 a day to see if we can increase our pool of candidates." The board moved, seconded and approved the change by voice vote.

Why it mattered: Administrators said substitute shortages have disproportionately affected larger schools, including Clinton Elementary, where more staff absences mean more classes without their regular teachers. The director described how pulling TAs to cover classrooms cancels intervention groups and consolidates services, reducing the district’s ability to deliver targeted supports.

Details and next steps: The pay change takes effect Dec. 1. The board discussed — and rejected at this meeting — contracting substitutes through a vendor, saying district-employed substitutes better preserve local culture and consistency in classrooms. The board did not record an individual roll-call for this motion; the minutes show the chair called for those in favor and the motion carried.

Board comment: In discussion, members emphasized the difficulty of substitute work and the strain on coverage. One board member said classroom substitutes must often "walk into someone else's classroom" and manage unfamiliar students and plans on the fly. Administrators said they will track whether the pay increase improves recruitment and return to the board if further action is needed.

The board approved the pay increase and moved on to other agenda items.