The Beloit School District Board on Dec. 2 approved recommended hiring actions in Exhibit A and Exhibit B but removed two long-term substitute teacher positions from immediate approval amid concern over pay rates.

Board member Amy Levy questioned why two long-term substitute hires were listed at markedly higher daily rates than typical substitutes and said she could not approve those two positions without more context. Levy asked for legal and procedural clarification about contracts that are sometimes executed only after board approval and expressed concern that approving a rate now and then seeking to renegotiate would be unfair to individuals.

Superintendent Wayne Anderson told the board the rates in Exhibit A reflected practice in which retirees rehired by the district are paid approximately the rate they earned when they retired, which can produce wide disparities. "The reason that these rates are what they are, is that what the individuals were making when they retired from their teaching career," Anderson said. He added that this is not a universal practice across districts and that the board could consider setting standard long-term substitute rates.

The board voted on a motion to approve Exhibit A minus the two long-term substitute positions and to approve Exhibit B; the roll-call vote was 6–1. After further discussion about staffing shortages and fairness, Carol Fox moved — and Tom Hankins seconded — an amendment to keep the two substitute hires in place at their current rates through Dec. 19 to allow administration time to negotiate or recommend alternatives. The roll-call vote on the amendment was 6–1 (Amy Levy opposed); the main motion as amended was recorded carried 6–1.

Administratively, Anderson said staff would notify the two individuals the next day about the board decision and would seek options, including temporarily paying them at the brought-forward rate through the winter break while the district examines long-term policy on substitute rates. The transcript includes multiple, inconsistent numeric renderings of the daily rates in question (the public record cites figures that appear as "$470.64 per day" and an alternate transcription of approximately "$264 per day"; later references in the transcript show $406.70 and $264). The board did not approve a one-time pay adjustment beyond the actions described above and requested the administration return with clarifications and options.

What happens next: administration will notify the individuals and return to the board with options for substitute pay policy and potential renegotiation timelines; board members signaled interest in establishing a standard long-term substitute rate.