Agenda Item
Meeting Date:
11/16/2023 - 5:30 PM  
Category:
Report of the Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel  
Type:
Action  
Subject:
4. Action on Approval of a Substitute Teacher Incentive Program  
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 3
Effective and Efficient Operations
 
Policy:
Admin Policy 6.01 - General Personnel Policies  
Attachments:
Substitute Teacher Incentive Program  
File Attachment:
Substitute Teacher Incentive Program -Final.pdf
 
Background:
Substitute teacher shortages, much like the broader teacher shortages, are being experienced by school districts nationwide. While Milwaukee Public Schools has experienced a substitute teacher shortage for a number of years, the COVID-19 pandemic amplified the shortage with the number of substitute teachers accepting assignments sharply decreasing.

In an effort to increase the number of substitute teachers accepting assignments, the Administration recommends the implementation of an incentive program that would provide substitute teachers (excluding benefit eligible substitute teachers) a $500 taxable payment each month they fulfill assignments on 90% of the student attendance days.

The increase in the number of substitute teacher accepting assignments will not only benefit the students who will be receiving instruction, it will benefit school staff as it will relieve the strain placed on them when covering absences that were not picked up by a substitute teacher.
 
Fiscal Impact Statement:
If all substitute teacher assignments are filled by subs that qualify for the incentive, the cost of the incentive program is estimated to be $1,000,000.00. In the Fall budget adjustments funding was set aside to cover the incentives.  
Implementation and Assessment Plan:
Upon approval, the Administration will pay the noted incentive to eligible substitute teachers.  
Recommendation
The Administration recommends that the Board approve the substitute teacher incentive program as noted in this item.  
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Jill Kawala (Final) - Assistant Board Clerk