The Covington board of education voted unanimously Thursday to increase the daily rate of pay for substitute teachers in the school district.

Many districts are struggling to find substitute teachers, so Covington Independent Public Schools will now offer $200 per day, up from the previous daily rate of $135.

“Much like many school districts, Covington is struggling to find substitute teachers as protocols call for employees to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19,’’ said Ken Kippenbrock, the district's executive director of human resources. “We have not had sufficient substitute teacher coverage. With the board of education raising the pay for this school year to $200, we hope to attract more subs.’’

Superintendent Alvin Garrison said that finding qualified substitute teachers has been a challenge in recent years and has only gotten worse during the pandemic. He is hoping the salary increase will entice more people who are looking to become educators, as well retired teachers and counselors. 

Currently, other staffers and administrators have been filling in when substitutes are needed.

“Throughout the district, we have had teachers out because they’ve tested positive,  been exposed or symptomatic or their own children have had to quarantine,’’ Garrison said. “We simply do not have enough subs.’’

Substitute teachers can be employed part-time or full time or work on an as-needed basis. To qualify, substitutes must have 64 college credit hours, or hold a teaching certificate in any area, or hold a Kentucky substitute teacher certificate or be eligible for Emergency Substitute Certification

To apply for jobs, visit the district website, covington.kyschools.us.