In a penny-pinching economy where every cent matters, Turlock substitute teachers can enjoy the freedom that a few extra dollars affords them due to a recent pay increase.

On Oct. 16 the Turlock Unified School District increased the daily rate of pay for certificated substitutes. All certificated substitutes received a pay raise of $25 more than the baseline rate for their qualifications.  

Rate of pay increased from $95 to $120 for a daily substitute job, and the long term rate of pay, which includes jobs of  11 consecutive days or more, increased from $105 to $130 a day. Long term rate of pay for certificated substitute teachers who hold a California Teaching Credential specific to their teaching assignment and with 31 consecutive days of substituting in the same assignment, saw an increase from $140 to $165 a day.

Ruth Terry, a substitute in the district on and off since 1990, said she was pleasantly surprised by the raise.

“It’s been a long time since rates have been raised, I can’t remember the last time,” said Terry.

The last increase in rate of pay for substitute teachers was October 2005, according to Heidi Lawler, assistant superintendent of human resources at the district. TUSD raised the rate of pay to remain competitive with other districts, said Lawler.

 “Over the years I’ve heard remarks that our pay rate is lower than other districts,” she said.

Superintendent Sonny Da Marto said that the district has a hard time getting substitutes.

“With the implementation of Common Core, the district needs good substitutes to continue our goals of professional development,” said Da Marto.