Frankfort Board Weighs Higher Substitute Pay Amid Staffing Shortages

Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education Meeting | April 21, 2026

Article Summary: The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education on April 21, 2026, reviewed a proposal to raise substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and nurse compensation for 2026–2027, the first such adjustment since fall 2022, in an effort to combat lagging substitute fill rates. The item was a discussion only, with formal approval recommended for the May meeting.

Substitute Compensation Key Points:

• Proposed daily rates are $150 for substitute teachers, $125 for substitute paraprofessionals, and $225 for substitute nurses.
• The average increase across all three positions is 15%, with a projected annual cost of $60,000.
• The district last updated substitute pay in fall 2022, and fill rates have been described as “less than ideal.”
• A year-end incentive for substitutes meeting a set number of service days was also proposed.

FRANKFORT — The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, reviewed recommended increases to substitute compensation rates for the 2026–2027 school year, with Superintendent Dr. Doug Wernet emphasizing that competitive pay is important to maintaining a sufficient pool of substitute staff. The matter was presented as a discussion item, and Wernet recommended the board consider approval at its May meeting.

Wernet noted that the district last updated its substitute pay structure in the fall of 2022 and that substitute fill rates have been less than ideal. He presented a comparison and market analysis of the Lincoln-Way, Will County, and greater South Cook areas, indicating that Frankfort 157-C currently falls within the mid-range.

Under the proposal, recommended rates are $150 per day for substitute teachers, $125 per day for substitute paraprofessionals, and $225 per day for substitute nurses. The average increase across all three positions is 15%, with an annual projected increase of $60,000. Wernet also proposed implementing year-end incentives for substitutes who meet a specified number of service days in the district.

Board member Brad Nagel inquired about the incentives, and Wernet explained that substitutes use the Frontline system to select assignments each morning, often basing their choices on proximity to home and the rate of pay.

The substitute discussion was one of several compensation items previewed for May action. Wernet separately recommended the board approve a 4% salary increase for educational support staff for the 2026–2027 school year, also slated for the May meeting.