Superintendent Rupak Gandhi (Photo: Fargo School District)
FARGO (KFGO) – Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Rupak Gandhi presented the system’s plan for increasing substitute teacher pay at last night’s school board meeting.
Effective immediately through the end of the school year, the new daily rate for subs will be $130 for those who do not have a regular teaching license and $150 for those who do. This year, the average number of daily subs needed in Fargo has been 70, but the system only has 40 on its payroll. The shortage issue has been called an operational crisis. Gandhi said this is a short-term fix.
“We want to take a more comprehensive approach this summer. To look at substitutes and see what the best way to align our dollars with the individuals serving as a substitute for our classroom teachers is,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi adds they are looking at community partnerships to help address the issue in the future, including one with Valley City State.
“Valley City’s junior class that is in education programs will be renting spaces from Fargo Public Schools two days a week to do their course work. That junior class would then sub for us 3 days a week,” Gandhi added.
Fargo Schools will also permanently increase pay for staff who give up planning and prep time to fill in as subs when needed.
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