'Need Is Great,' Long Valley Substitute Teachers: Superintendent

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A graduated pay rate program for substitute teachers based on their time served in the Washington Township Schools, was unanimously adopted at the Washington Township Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night.

Superintendent Dr. Peter Turnamian, who started with the school district in October, called it a program aimed at “rewarding our substitute teachers who consistently support our schools.”

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The program is for all substitute teachers, excluding Leave Replacement Teachers, who fall under a different pay scale.

Under the new program, substitutes, who normally receive $91 daily, will begin earning $105 daily, after they’ve reached their 41st full day of substitute teaching within the Washington Township Schools.

If a substitute serves on two half days, that will equate to a full day, the motion about the program states.

The pay increase will be paid at the end of June 2022 for days worked during the 2021-2022 school year; and is retroactive back to Sept. 1, 2021.

Turnamian said he applauded Dr. Laura Morana, who had served as the Interim Superintendent prior to his arrival, and Liz George, the Business Administrator and Board Secretary, who both “worked hard these past few months, to create this program,” which he said, “demonstrates our value and appreciation for our exceptional substitute teachers.”

“Our schools are a wonderful environment to work,” Turnamian said, offering that the “need is great,” for substitute teachers and aides within the district.

Anyone interested in working within the district in any substitute position, should visit the website, he said, on the employment tab at www.wtschools.org.

To view Turnamian's full comments, watch the clip below:

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