JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley School Board Monday night increased the amount it pays substitute teachers by $20 a day to attract more candidates to the district.

It is up to $100 a day from $80 a day.

Superintendent Tracy Vitale said a myriad of factors have led to Seneca Valley experiencing a “significant shortage” in the number of substitute teachers it has on file.

The superintendent also said the school five years ago had about 450 substitutes on file, a number that has fallen to about 250 now.

“If you do the math, that’s barely coming in at minimum wage,” Vitale said of the old wage.

However, the new rate only will be in effect until the end of this school year on June 6 at which time administrators will re-evaluate the issue.

There will be a “significant cost” to the district if it keeps the higher rate, Vitale said, although she said the district will study it.

Vitale added that Seneca Valley’s previous rate of $80 per day was on par with other school districts such as Butler, Hampton and North Allegheny. However, it was lower than Mars, which pays $90 a day, and North Hills, which pays $95 a day.

She said there are many reasons for the decline in substitutes, primarily because fewer students are majoring in education in college. However, reimbursement is a cause that cannot be overlooked, Vitale said.

“We do know that many have told us it’s because of the money,” she said.