Adjustments to the Davis School District pay scale for substitute teachers was implemented on Oct. 16 in an effort to fill empty positions and attract employees in the temporary workforce. Assistant Superintendent John Zurbuchen says substitutes are a vital part of the district team and, therefore, the district hopes this shows them how much it values them.

Full-day amounts increased across the board for substitutes, with those without degrees receiving $85, degree-holders receiving $105, and certified or licensed teachers receiving $113 per day.

Substitutes who spend at least 20 consecutive days in the classroom are considered long-term and may earn up to $140 daily with a degree or license.

“When we get the best subs, we get the best learning,” Zurbuchen said.

According to Angela Hislop, district subsystems specialist, recruitment of substitute teachers has never been a problem in the past for DSD. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, DSD had a 94%-95% fill rate of substitute positions. DSD Director of Communications & Operations Chris Williams says that number has decreased to 75% in the last year.

DSD currently has 2,000 individuals in its substitute pool. The problem, however, is getting those listed in the pool to take open positions, Hislop said. Williams says the district uses a multifaceted approach when it comes to filling positions. Substitutes within the pool will receive an auto-generated call when there is a new opening with information and an option to accept or decline.

At times, principles will reach out to substitutes they know in the community who they have worked with previously to try to fill a position. “They provide continuity in both curriculum delivery as well as promoting our Davis culture,” Zurbuchen said.

DSD does not keep a record of open substitute jobs on its website at DSDjobs.net. The need changes day to day, Williams said.

Zurbuchen says the recent increase puts DSD near the top of the pay scale in comparison to neighboring districts such as Weber, Ogden and Granite.

An additional 400 applicants were added to the DSD substitute pool in response to a call for applicants.

While DSD is in need of filling positions, applicants must meet the minimum requirements of being 20 years of age or older with a high school diploma. Having experience working with K-12 children is preferred but not required.

According to DSD, in times of staffing emergencies, they have had to ask an administrator to cover a class. “We don’t believe in leaving kids to their own devices,” Williams said.

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