Board reviews substitute‑administrator pay options as CalSTRS earning limits fall; district proposes 199‑day preschool supervisor option to aid recruitment

The board discussed two proposed salary options for certificated administrator substitutes presented by Executive Officer Tamara Ferreiro: Option 1 would add a longevity differential (raising a substitute principal full‑day rate to $525 and assistant principal/learning director to $475); Option 2 would set substitute pay at 75% of step 1 of the administrative salary schedule (which Ferreiro said would raise a substitute principal’s daily rate to $587 and assistant principal/learning director to $524). Ferreiro told trustees these models include half‑day and hourly rates.

Trustees asked that in‑district retirees be prioritized for substitute assignments and proposed additional differentials for long‑term assignments. Board members and staff noted that the CalSTRS post‑retirement earnings cap will drop from $80,245 to $59,000 effective July 1, 2026, which will reduce the number of days retirees can work and could affect staffing availability.

Separately, staff proposed adding a 199‑day work‑year option to the salary schedule for preschool site supervisors to broaden the recruitment pool. Director Marie Hicks said the district had posted the role and had difficulty finding candidates at a 225‑day schedule; Hicks said she has been covering many of the duties and the 199‑day option is meant to increase applicant interest while retaining the 225‑day option if needed.

No final action on the substitute pay options was taken at this meeting; trustees invited further feedback from retirees and stakeholders before returning the item for approval.