Austin ISD employs roughly 5,500 teachers and had a minimum of 479 teacher absences during school days last week, meaning roughly 1 in 10 teachers were absent.
The district recorded 506 substitute requests Jan. 10, 479 substitute requests Jan. 11, 486 Jan. 12 and 561 Jan. 13.
Villa said the district has more than 1,400 substitutes in its pool, not including central office staff; however only 30% are actively taking on classes.
To attract more people to work as substitutes, the district is also now allowing substitute teachers with fewer than 60 college credit hours to teach.
The district will also offer a $25 daily bonus for substitutes working while the county is in COVID-19 risk Stage 5 and a monthly $300 bonus for substitutes who work every business day of a given month when the county is in Stage 4 or 5.
Per a district press release, the current base compensation rates are:
- $165 a day for permanent teacher substitutes at underperforming schools
- $150 a day for certified substitute teachers
- $140 for degreed substitute teachers
- $130 for substitute teachers with 60-plus college hours
- $115 for substitute teachers who have fewer than 60 college credit hours
