By Megan Wehring
HAYS CISD — Many school districts are in dire need of substitute teachers and Hays CISD is no exception.
The district continues its search for more guest or substitute teachers as there are increased absences from regular staff due to positive COVID-19 tests and required quarantine. But, guest teachers do not currently have leave benefits or compensation they could use in the event they may get exposed and have to quarantine.
While it is challenging to find the additional funds, Hays CISD might look into providing guest teachers with the benefits they need.
“For guest teachers who do work more regularly,” said Tim Savoy, chief communications officer, “we would need to determine if we can pay them without inadvertently creating a gift of public funds, which we wouldn’t be able to do. Some guest teachers are committed to long-term, equivalent to full-time, assignments for teachers who are out on leave for extended periods of time. We may be able to offer a type of leave benefit for them, but we have not yet reached a determination on that.”
Hays CISD has not made an official decision regarding leave benefits yet.
