Hollister School District board trustees increased pay of substitutes, discussed the possibility of restoring stipends for after-school sports programs and addressed goals and plans for next year at the regularly scheduled school board meeting Tuesday.
School board trustees voted to approve an increase in pay for the HSD certificated substitute teachers, increasing rates for single-day and long-term assignments.
“This is one of the last remaining groups of people that have not had an increase in their compensation,” explained Assistant Superintendent Dennis Kurtz, as he presented potential new rates to the school board.
The daily rate of $125 increased $5, and the half-day rate of $62.50 increased by $2.50. Increasing the base substitute rate of pay from $125 to $130 daily will cost about $25,000 annually, according to the meeting agenda.
Certificated substitutes fill in for teachers who are ill, attending professional development workshops or on leave. The changes in pay go into effect July 1.
In other matters:
First draft on LCAP
School board trustees heard a report on the first draft of the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which is meant to provide a simple story of the district’s goals, actions and investments for the next three school years.
“I’m very excited this week to tell you we have a draft to look at,” said Lonna Martinez, the director of educational services.
The draft outlined 10 goals, including a need to ensure adequate facilities that meet the needs of students; a desire to narrow the achievement gap for Hispanic, low-income and foster kids; and a goal to address student tardiness, especially at the middle schools.
District may sport athletics
Starting next school year, the HSD may restore stipends for the coaches and athletic directors who traditionally ran after-school sports programs. In December 2010, the school board approved a deficit reduction plan that included cutting the stipends for the district’s after-school sports programs in response to a severe financial crisis in the 2010-2011 school year. At the time the stipends were cut, the cost was about $61,000 a year.
The YMCA of San Benito County stepped in to fill some of the void, offering middle school sports programs with the request that students pay the costs of keeping the activities running.
The report Tuesday was informational, and school board trustees are set to take action at the next board meeting at 6 p.m. May 27 at the district office, 2690 Cienega Road.
