Do you know how much substitute teachers in this area make? Well, in the Lucia Mar School District (encompassing schools from Nipomo to Shell Beach) a substitute teacher makes base wages of $44 for a half day (210 minutes) and $88 for a full day. From those wages, federal and state taxes are subtracted, as are teacher retirement contributions. Substitute teachers must have a college degree and must pass a test called the CBEST. Taking the exam requires a fee. Other fees are also charged to be a substitute teacher: fingerprinting, tuberculosis skin test, tetanus shot. All of these are reasonable requirements; however, a substitute teacher ends up clearing $8.50 per hour. A substitute secretary or food service worker in the Lucia Mar School District can earn more than $13 per hour.
Our kids are sitting in classes this year that are overcrowded. The classroom teachers do their best, but sometimes they do need to miss a day or two throughout the school year. Don’t our kids deserve the best education we can provide, no matter the expense?

This article appears in Oct 1-8, 2009.