The Argyle ISD board of trustees approved a $10-per-day pay increase for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals at a Dec. 15 meeting.

The board also approved hiring five special education aide positions to prepare for increased enrollment.

The details

Argyle ISD has experienced challenges in maintaining an adequate pool of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals to meet daily campus needs, per district documents.

The new pay rates are:

• $135 per day for a registered nurse
• $135 per day for long-term substitutes
• $110 per day for Texas-certified teachers
• $105 per day for substitute teachers with degrees
• $100 per day for substitute teachers without degrees
• $95 per day for paraprofessionals

This will cost the district $70,000, and the funds will come from the maintenance and operations budget, per district documents. District staff said the new pay rates will go into effect next semester.

Also of note

The district also approved five additional contingency positions as district enrollment continues to increase.

Deputy Superintendent Chris Daniel said the district hired five additional contingency aides at the start of the school year and has already filled all of those positions.

The additional positions will help the district to proactively prepare for potential increases in special education teaching units that may require additional support, according to district documents.

This will cost the district $162,000 and will come from the maintenance and operations budget, per district documents.

Daniel said the district will use one aide immediately and hold onto the other four to use as the need arises.