Londonderry School Board approves long‑term substitute rate amid talk of raising daily pay

The Londonderry School Board on Jan. 27 approved a long‑term substitute per‑diem rate and discussed a separate proposal to raise daily substitute pay to make the district more competitive with neighboring districts.

Administration told the board the district’s current daily substitute pay is $12.86 an hour (about $84 per day based on a 6.5‑hour teacher day) and proposed increasing it to approximately $16.15 per hour (about $105 per day). The memo also recommended establishing a long‑term substitute per‑diem for assignments of more than 21 days, set at a rate comparable to a step‑1 teacher daily per‑diem to control costs compared with paying returning retirees at their former contractual rates.

Board members argued that higher daily rates can attract better candidates and reduce lost instructional time, but noted possible budget and payroll logistics concerns. One board member suggested running budget scenarios before the Feb. 17 meeting so the board could consider a higher short‑term rate if feasible.

On a motion by Sarah Loughlin and seconded by Tim Porter, the board approved the long‑term substitute per‑diem. The voice vote was recorded as 5–0 in favor.

The board did not finalize any change to the daily sub hourly rate at the Jan. 27 meeting; members asked administration to model higher rates and their budgetary effects for the next meeting.

The board also discussed the operational challenge of substitute shortages and the benefits of retirees who return to fill long‑term assignments.