Hourly Earnings-NYS Substitute Teacher Legislation Proposal

Maryann Maltese, A former NYS Communications Director - Legislative Director for NYS Senate and NYS Assembly calls on the Governor to require School Districts to increase Substitute Teacher salaries from the average of $16.00 to $25.00 per hour. Substitute Teachers keep every one organized and we step in when your favorite Teacher is out sick or had a family emergency-this happens. Taking care of our Substitute Teachers on Long Island so they make a livable wage is good for the students of Long Island and promotes our mission of Educational Excellence. Now with new COVID teaching requirements upon us on top of having College Credentials to enter into the classroom-it's even more necessary to increase wages of Substitute Teachers who are right there on the frontlines to help Teachers with their Students needs.

With the recent NYS implementation of increasing Minimum wages to $15.00 which took full effect in January 2021- sliding scale aspects and Long Island School Districts were eliminated. It's imperative; that NYS Policy Makers pay Closer attention to the earnings scale basis for Substitute Teachers. Cost of Living is rising; while teachers are retiring and Substitute Teachers fill in. NYC just increased Security Guard Salaries by 300 hundred percent; but Substitute Teacher salary ranges on Long Island were eliminated from the Minimum Wage Law Formula. New Leadership is necessary that understands that Law Abiding Employees deserve better working hourly earnings.

Substitute teachers work the same hours per day as Certified teachers and some may look to become certified teachers down the line. It's unacceptable starting in 2021-to pay Substitute Teachers $1.00 more an hour then NYS State Minimum wages. By not increasing Substitute Teacher Salaries across the board-here on Long Island, we are sending the wrong message of the importance of education standards and it screams we don't value the service Substitute Teachers provide in the classroom.

I was reading an article recently in our Local Penny Saver that School Bus Drivers-although private sector employment- recently received wage increases from $23.00-$25.00 depending on the type of bus they have expertise in navigating. Substitute Teachers like Bus drivers spend an equal amount of time with our children every day and now that NYS has come forward increasing Minimum Wage to $ 15.00-it makes common sense to recognize the need to increase the Substitute Teacher Per Diem hourly rate too. Substitute Teachers are dynamic people and we need them-sometimes for Long Term assignments and sometimes to help out in various school buildings within the district. Substitute Teachers do not receive healthcare insurance or get paid for sick days-so by increasing their Hourly earning rate to standards in which many NYS statewide Substitute Teachers earn regionally which is presently between $27.00-$29.00 per hour-Legislation requiring Long Island school districts too meet Labor Standards is required.

I'm encouraging the NYS Legislature and Governor Cuomo to make it a Legislative Priority in 2022 and if they do not; I'll be introducing the Legislation. Maryann Maltese; is year 30 Political Scientist Master; who sat on the planning committees to Implement and for UPK to take root. Upon leaving the NYS Legislature; I certified as a Substitute within Brentwood UFSD.

If I'm elected to Albany this upcoming 2022 Session-I'll introduce this bill without reservation.

Maryann Maltese, UFT Scholar-Certified Substitute Teacher Brentwood UFSD, BA in Political Sciences-Queens College. Maryann is also a NYS Union Supporter.

To get involved with Maryann's campaign; and to share your ideas on Public Policy changes; reach Maryann at Maryannmaltese1000@gmail.com