Every substitute in the McCook school system will now receive $100 a day, rather than being paid on a graduating scale from $75 to $95 a day, depending upon how many days they've taught.

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The increase will put McCook ahead of what is paid to substitute teachers in neighboring districts, which previously had an edge in hiring substitutes and made it difficult to hire subs in McCook.

Business manager Rick Haney said there has been no change in substitute teacher pay for five to six years.

Board president Greg Larson said substitute teacher pay is something he wants to add to the board's list of housekeeping activities and address annually.

The board approved a teaching contract for Josh Schieber, who will teach agriculture during five of eight periods (not fifth through eighth grade, as previously reported) and sponsor FFA at the high school.

Superintendent Dave Schley said that Schieber's position may eventually expand to eight periods.

Schieber and his wife, Dr. Erica Schieber, moved to McCook from Ohio when Erica took a position at Red Willow Animal Clinic in April. Josh is a graduate of Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture education. He has also coached eighth grade girls basketball.

Ag education and FFA returned to MHS during the 2007-2008 school year after they were discontinued several years ago. Students supported the ag education and FFA programs well, although the programs struggled through teacher/sponsor changes mid-year.

Other personnel changes approved at the board meeting Monday included:

* The resignation of activities director Clint Edwards, who plans to return to Kearney to further his education.

* Contracts for: Tracy Adams, junior high resource; Darin Nichols, activities director; Judith Nichols, senior high resource; Gloria Brennan, speech/language; and Kay Oltmer, elementary teacher.

The board also approved a separation compensation package for former superintendent Dr. Don Marchant, who served as superintendent from July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2007. When Dr. Marchant left, he and the board could not agree on compensation for accrued but unused vacation days, Superintendent Dave Schley said, and the disagreement had to be refereed by attorneys.

Marchant's contract allowed 20 vacation days per year, to accumulate to 25 days.

Marchant, who now lives in Hot Spring, S.D., will be paid $11,000 on or before the McCook board's June 2008 payroll.

Discussion of Marchant's compensation was added to the board's agenda on Friday, before 24 hours prior to the meeting, as required by law, without adding it as an emergency item at the meeting

The board also discussed and approved several changes in parent-student handbooks, including one instructing junior high students to leave their cell phones in their lockers. Senior high students may carry theirs, although calls during class are prohibited.

Another change, in the schedule at the high school, is the elimination of the seminar period, which started two years ago as a regular class period and last year was shortened to 15 minutes. Schley said the period, which was designed as an opportunity for students and teachers to create bonds, did not work out as well as expected, and eliminating the class means high school students will be dismissed 15 minutes earlier, at 3:15 p.m.

Contrary to an earlier proposed schedule, teacher in-service days will not begin at 10 a.m. and dismiss at regular times, but will begin at regular times and dismiss at 1 p.m.