BOARD OKs PAY RAISE FOR SUBSTITUTES

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education increased salaries for substitute teachers and teachers who sponsor extra-curricular or athletic activities during a meeting Monday night.

Board members unanimously approved a $5 increase in the daily rate of pay for substitute teachers. Out-going Superintendent Dr. Dan Tallent said people eligible to work as substitutes were attracted to other area school districts that paid more than the $45 per day offered in Cape Girardeau schools.

"We haven't increased substitute pay for several years and it's becoming difficult to find substitutes because our rate is lower," said Tallent. "This will just make us a little more competitive in that area."

Board members also approved a schedule for extra-duty pay for teachers. The schedule, which was developed by a committee of elementary and secondary teachers and administrators, ties extra service pay to an employee's base pay in an effort to keep "effective, interested, dedicated personnel in extra-curricular assignments."

"The committee feels the revised formula will result in long-term commitment of extra duty personnel and thereby increase the quality of an already excellent extra-curricular program in Cape public schools," wrote Steve Schaffner, committee secretary.

The committee developed a list of criteria -- including length of employment in the district, level of participation by students, and amount of training, certification or professional preparation required -- that are to be considered when determining an extra-duty salary amount.

Board member David Goncher questioned prioritizing length of service in the district because it might deter "young, energetic teachers" from becoming sponsors. He recommended the schedule be reviewed in the future to ensure it is equitable and fair to all activity sponsors.

Board members voted to approve the schedule. Members also voted to reconvene the committee every three years to recommend revisions to the schedule.

"The intent of the whole thing was to provide a competitive extra-curricular salary schedule that would make these positions more attractive," said Dr. Dan Steska, incoming superintendent and a member of the committee. "We couldn't include everything in this recommendation, but we definitely saw things that will need to be included down the road."

In other business, board members adopted the 1998-99 budget as the preliminary budget for the 1999-2000 fiscal year and approved bids to purchase computers for the food service department and for computer labs at Jefferson, Clippard and Alma Schrader schools.

Cape Board of Education

Monday, June 28, 1999 6 p.m.

Vocational-Technical School, 301 N. Clark Room 214

Action Items:

-- Approved board policy updates, third reading.

-- Approved grandfathering for elementary students.

-- Approved fund transfer.

-- Adopted 1998-1999 budget as preliminary budget for 1999-2000.

-- Received year-end budget reports.

-- Approved physical therapy bid.

-- Approved a $5 per day increase in daily rate of substitute pay.

-- Awarded contract for Vocational Career Center.

-- Approved extra-curricular stipend salary.

-- Approved bid for computers for food service.

-- Approved bid for computer equipment for elementary labs at Jefferson, Clippard and Alma Schrader.