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Grandmother and substitute teacher urges board to raise custodian and substitute pay
Summary
At public comment, Marcia Roland, a retired Ivy Tech employee and substitute teacher, urged the board to increase custodial raises and raise substitute teacher pay, saying custodians received only a 25¢ raise last year and that substitute pay in the district is the lowest in neighboring counties.
During visitor comments at the May 27 meeting, Marcia Roland identified herself as a retired Ivy Tech employee and a substitute teacher and asked trustees to prioritize higher pay for custodial staff and substitutes.
Roland told the board she has substituted across multiple corporations and that custodial staff "take great pride in their work" but received only a 25-cent raise last year. She also said Mconaquah's substitute pay is the lowest among nearby districts and handed trustees comparative pay information, urging the board to consider higher rates so substitutes do not feel compelled to skip days they are entitled to take.
Why it matters: Custodial workers maintain daily cleanliness and safety of school facilities, and low substitute pay can affect the district's ability to staff classrooms when teachers are absent.
What was said: "As you consider this year's budget, I hope you will be generous to this dedicated group who works so hard," Roland said. She also asked trustees to review substitute pay as a retention and instructional-stability issue.
What's next: The board acknowledged the request; administration and trustees discussed budget timing and personnel items elsewhere on the agenda. No immediate action was taken; Roland said she distributed comparative pay materials to board members.
