Substitute teachers in the Wilton-Lyndeborough School District will now be earning a bit more for their efforts in the classroom. 

An increase in pay for a day of subbing from $100 to $125 was approved at Tuesday's School Board meeting.

Substitute teachers are currently paid in the $120 to $130 range, said Kristie LaPlante, the district’s business administrator

Prior to the vote on the issue, Florence Rideout Elementary School Principal Bridgette Fuller said the shortage of subs has resulted in her covering classes herself at FRES. This situation prompted concern from board member Jonathan Lavoie. 

“I’m concerned that you have to sub,” he said, adding that doing so pulled her away from her administrative duties at the school. 

“In terms of my tasks and behavioral referrals, I’m able to handle them,” said Fuller, who is not paid a sub fee for this duty.

The board also voted to raise the pay for substitute nurses to $155 from $130 per day.

LaPlante said Wednesday that the new pay rate should take effect immediately. Individuals looking to substitute teach in the district should contact Lori Spurell at the SAU office. 

Lack of bus drivers causes problems

Superintendent Peter Weaver explained the impact of not being able to staff the district’s buses for all its transportation needs.

“We have had to collapse bus routes. Right now it’s unacceptable,” said Weaver. He explained that collapsing routes results in students spending additional time on buses at both ends of the day. 

The plan forward is to meet with Butler’s Bus Service, the district’s transportation provider, in December, he said.

“Is there a solution we’re all missing?” said Weaver, who had to drive a van to take the WLC Dance Team to Boston for a competition on Sunday.

Transportation costs are an ongoing challenge for the district. On Wednesday, LaPlante said that a soccer team trip to Sunapee cost the district $869, and a getting a middle school team to South Meadow School cost $284.

IN another matter, Wilton Select Board member Tom Schultz invited School Board members to the Select Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 18. Citing a possible loss of federal funds for the district, Schultz told the board that it should consider the prospect of the incoming administration in Washington abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. 

“You abolish the Department of Education, you’re looking at losing funds,” he said. “You should be looking at that.”