St. Lucie County - Friday August 12, 2022: St. Lucie Public Schools Friday implemented hefty pay increases for substitute teachers and other school staff in order to remain competitive with the school districts in surrounding counties.
Among the raises that take effect immediately, the daily rate for substitute teachers with 60 or more college credits rises from $160 a day now to just over $172 dollars daily. A substitute teacher with a high school degree only will now get nearly $124 dollars a day, up from 80 dollars daily.
Among the staff raises, substitute food service workers will now get $15 hourly, from from $10 an hour. Substitute bus drivers will go from $13 to $16 hourly.
“In order to remain competitive with our surrounding districts," explained Chief Communications Officer Lydia Martin, "we felt it was important to be able to increase the pay."
Those interested in applying to become a substitute teacher in St. Lucie Public Schools can apply online at: Substitutes – St Lucie Public Schools.
The raises for substitute teachers and staff are not the result of full-time personnel shortages.
While the Florida Education Association reports that public schools around the state started off with 8,000 teacher vacancies, and a shortage of 6,000 staff, Martin said St. Lucie County Schools started the school year with just 13 vacancies. "So we’re actually in really good shape with regards to that," said Martin who credits the school systems recruit efforts, good pay and the favorable reputation of the St. Lucie County School System.
“We did some very robust job fairs this summer, (and) we’ve been one of the best places to work for the last five years here in St. Lucie County, " she said. "We offer competitive pay in relation to our neighboring districts because of referendum dollars.”
The St. Lucie School system this year was ranked first in student performance amongst the other Treasure Coast school systems. “It’s the first time that that’s happened," said Martin, "and we’re really proud of that, that we were able to have such a great year considering that we’re coming out of the pandemic."
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) proudly serves students with a graduation rate of 99% at the six traditional high schools. SLPS is the top-rated school district on the Treasure Coast, with no failing schools. SLPS ranks among the top one-third of Florida’s districts for student achievement. The District also has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work.