East Bridgewater School Committee Approves Pay Increases for Substitute Teachers
EAST BRIDGEWATER - September 16 - The East Bridgewater School Committee voted to increase substitute teacher daily rates from $90 to $125 and building-based substitute rates from $125 to $175 per day, effective immediately, as district officials work to remain competitive amid widespread staffing shortages.
The Full Story
Superintendent Dr. Gina Williams presented data from 24 surrounding districts showing East Bridgewater's substitute rates ranked among the lowest in the region, with daily rates ranging from $90 to $175 across comparable communities. The increases were designed to attract more substitutes as the district competes for limited personnel.
"We're all certainly jockeying for substitutes to cover teacher absences," Williams said. "Oftentimes our substitutes are in multiple districts, and certainly the higher the rate, the more likely they are to come to your school district."
The committee also addressed a significant concern raised by parent Lynn MacDonald regarding nursing staff reductions at Mitchell School. MacDonald, whose daughter has Type 1 diabetes, expressed worry about reducing nursing coverage from two full-time nurses to 1.5 nurses for 620 students, calling it "a serious student safety issue and a liability risk for the district."
Williams clarified that the district maintains five full-time nurses across all buildings, including one full-time nurse at Mitchell School and a float nurse who spends half her time there. She emphasized that non-medical staff are only present to ensure someone is available when nurses are assisting students elsewhere, but they do not provide medical care.
In other major developments, Williams presented her comprehensive entry plan as the new superintendent, outlining a "listening and learning tour" to gather input from all stakeholders through December and January. The plan includes individual interviews, surveys, classroom visits, and public forums to inform the district's strategic plan for the next three to five years. The first public forum is scheduled for September 30 at 7 p.m. in the Junior Senior High Library.
Transportation challenges dominated much of the discussion, with officials reporting approximately 70 families expressing concerns about new community bus stops implemented after eliminating one bus from the fleet. The change resulted in students having to walk to community stops rather than having buses come directly to their homes. Business Manager John Shea noted that over 300 students signed up for busing after the established deadline, creating ongoing route adjustments.
The committee approved several out-of-state field trips, including drama club's trip to Walt Disney World in April 2026, eighth grade's Washington D.C. trip in June 2026, and a high school trip to Paris and Rome in April 2027. The committee also received updates on the Central School building project, with a special town meeting scheduled for November 10 and a ballot question on November 15.
Committee members discussed upcoming training opportunities, settling on an October 18 morning session for roles and responsibilities and ethics training through the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The three-hour workshop will be facilitated by field representative Sean Costello.
Why It Matters
The substitute teacher pay increases reflect the ongoing challenges school districts face in maintaining adequate staffing levels, which directly impacts classroom continuity for students. Meanwhile, the nursing staff concerns highlight the delicate balance between budget constraints and student safety as districts navigate post-COVID budget pressures while addressing increasingly complex student health needs.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Increase daily substitute teacher pay to $125 and building-based substitute pay to $175 per day, effective immediately. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:39:48)
Motion: Approve drama club field trip to Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, April 15-19, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:36:08)
Motion: Approve grade 8 field trip to Washington, D.C., June 2-5, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:36:32)
Motion: Approve high school field trip to Paris, France and Rome, Italy, April 2027. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:36:52)
Motion: Surplus obsolete playground equipment at Mitchell School. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:37:28)
Motion: Approve homeschool education plans as recommended by Assistant Superintendent. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:35:49)
Public Comment
Lynn MacDonald raised concerns about reduced nursing staff at Mitchell School, citing safety risks for students with medical conditions like Type 1 diabetes. Andrew Heath, representative to Southeastern Regional Vocational School, provided updates on a community lunch program and new DESE lottery system that could impact enrollment from sending districts.
What's Next
The superintendent's entry plan public forum will be held September 30 at 7 p.m. in the Junior Senior High Library. School committee operating protocols will be reviewed and signed at the October meeting. Central School building project information sessions continue, with a special town meeting on November 10 and ballot question on November 15. MASC training on roles, responsibilities, and ethics scheduled for October 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.