The Hall County School District will use federal CARES funding to give bonuses to so-called priority substitute teachers who have been filling the gap in schools across the district this past year.
The district began using what they called priority subs last fall, placing people with prior school experience in school buildings on a regular basis during the week. Those subs were available to step in at a moment's notice, especially in circumstances where personnel shortages occurred because of a COVID emergency.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Brad Brown made the bonus request of the county school board Monday night, noting that many priority subs had worked not just for day or weeks but for months during the 2020-21 school year. Brown said those people made it easier for other employees to survive a difficult year.
Superintendent Will Schofield backed Brown's request.
"We've got a lot of individuals who are part of our team who make this [a successful school year] happen and I think subs need to be included," Schofield said.
Under Brown's proposal, subs who have worked between 60 and 89 days would receive a part-time level bonus of $490; those who have worked 90 or more days would receive a $1,000 bonus, which is the same bonus offered to full-time employees.
As of Monday night, there were 98 subs who would be eligible for the bonus, but the school year doesn't end until May 21 and subs will be on the job through that date.
"[That number] will grow because we have several at 59 [days] and several who are at 89, so I do anticipate that number to be a handful higher," Brown said.
Schofield estimated the total cost for the bonuses will be between $65,000 and $70,000.
School board members approved the request unanimously.
