District 203 To Hike Pay For Retired Teachers Amid Shortage

NAPERVILLE, IL — Retired teachers will get a pay hike to their daily substitute teaching rates amid an ongoing teacher shortage for Naperville Community School District. The district plans to put surge pay into effect to facilitate this and to incentivize daily substitute teachers when most needed.

The surge pay will increase the rate for daily substitute teachers from $110 to $135, when the need for subs is most urgent. For teachers who have retired from District 203, the rate of pay will be $175 as of Jan. 17.

"We continue to explore options to fill our daily vacancies and ensure that our students receive a quality education each and every day,” District 203's Chief Human Resources Officer Bob Ross said in a news release.

Ross added, "The hope is that this new surge pay encourages more people to work as substitute teachers, especially on days when we have a higher need. Being a substitute teacher in Naperville 203 is rewarding and satisfying, and we’re looking for people to help."

The surge pay, approved at the board meeting on Jan. 9, comes in the midst of a teacher shortage in Illinois and most of the United States. District 203 is encouraging those with bachelor's degrees to apply to become a substitute teacher.

Ross concluded, “Welcoming these former employees back will both help us fill openings, and benefit our students to learn from high quality educators on days when their teacher is unable to be in the classroom.”