Subs get pay rates
restored after cut

However, two suits by substitute
teachers will likely continue

Hawaii's substitute teachers had their pay rate restored in a bill signed into law yesterday by Gov. Linda Lingle.

But two lawsuits against the state over substitutes' pay rate will likely continue, said John Hoff, founder and chairman of the Substitute Teachers Professional Alliance.

"I am under the impression that it's going to continue. It's got to be satisfied because of the improprieties of the pay that happened for nine years," said Hoff, who received a copy of the new measure from Lingle during the signing ceremony.

Substitute teachers were paid $112.53 a day after their pay was cut in January from $119.80.

In one class-action lawsuit, substitute teachers argue that they have been underpaid since 1996 under an eight-year-old law that sets teachers' pay. The substitutes say the law would entitle them to a $150 daily rate.

Another lawsuit challenges the January pay cut.

However, Hoff said the new law is a step in the right direction.

Under the law signed yesterday, substitutes without a bachelor's degree will again earn $119.80 a day. Those with a bachelor's degree will be paid a minimum of $130 a day. And Department of Education teachers and licensed or highly qualified teachers will be paid at least $140 a day.

Hoff said he was thrilled that "we have had a dual chamber success -- the Legislature and the executive -- of actually passing, I think, the first legislation for substitute teachers."

Jenny Chang of Honolulu was among the substitute teachers to write Lingle urging her to support the bill.

Chang had started her career as a full-time teacher. After getting married and having a family she turned to substitute teaching 27 years ago.

Surviving without any pay for summer and holiday vacation days, substitutes are in a particularly vulnerable position, Chang said after the signing ceremony.

"Because we were underpaid, it was really hard for the subs to make it," Chang said.