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Malden School Committee approves clarified substitute pay language over one member's objection
Summary
The committee voted to change substitute pay wording to $100/day for unlicensed substitutes, $125/day for licensed educators and $135/day for retired educators. The motion passed 7–1 with one absence after a member said the change risks excluding qualified nonlicensed substitutes.
The Malden School Committee on April 1 voted to change the district's substitute teacher daily-rate language to $100 per day for unlicensed substitutes, $125 per day for substitutes holding an educator's license and $135 per day for retired educators.
The motion, made by Committee member Ms. Spadafora and seconded by Mr. Bernard, passed in a roll-call vote with seven in favor, one opposed and one absent. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. Mertz told the committee the prior pay structure listed $100 per day for unlicensed substitutes, $125 per day for certified teachers and $135 per day for retired certified teachers; the revised wording clarifies pay by license status rather than the prior phrasing.
Committee member Ms. Hortie voted against the motion, saying a change keyed strictly to licensure risks excluding highly qualified candidates who lack a license — for example, retirees from other fields or career changers who may have relevant experience but not an educator license. "A substitute teacher might be highly qualified retired from another field or a career changer who wanted to test the waters with teaching," Hortie said, explaining her no vote.
Supporters of the change, including Ms. Spadafora, said the revised language aligns pay with credentialing and aims to be clearer for human-resources administration. The motion’s mover and seconder recorded the motion and the committee adopted the new wording. The committee provided no immediate change to funding levels; any budgetary adjustments would be considered in the regular budget process.
The vote was one of several personnel- and policy-related items the committee handled at its April 1 meeting; the meeting later moved into executive session and then adjourned.
