The Sacramento region's largest school district says it needs as many as 150 more substitute teachers. And its raising salaries and offering health benefits to attract them.
Substitute teachers are in demand throughout the country. More of them are finding steady employment in other job sectors because of the improving economy.
Elk Grove Unified School District is increasing the basic pay for substitute teachers from $125 a day to $135. And for the first time, the district is offering health benefits.
"To make sure that we do have enough teachers, we want to make sure that we are able to hire the best and the brightest," says Xanthi Pinkerton with the district. "And it may become a more competitive environment when we're getting out there."
Pinkerton says the district is even urging parents to apply and potentially sub at their kid's school.
"That vested interest that they already have makes them a perfect candidate for being a substitute teacher," says Pinkerton.
She says adding more substitute teachers to its current pool of 600 subs will allow regular teachers to attend more professional development training.
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