A $20 per day increase for substitute teachers in the Weatherly School District was approved during Wednesday's regular board meeting. Substitutes will now receive $90 per day.

According to board secretary David Marsiglio, an estimated $49,000 was paid last year to substitutes. Board member Gerard Grega questioned Marsiglio why the amount was so high.The district employs 60 teachers, averaging to about 12 substitutions per teacher last year under the old pay scale."That seems like a lot of sick people in the area," Grega said. Elementary and Middle School principal Sandra Slavick reminded the board that the 12 days include conferences as well as sick time.Three substitutes were approved for the 2015-2016 school year: Lauren Pellock for elementary education, Sarah Stadnick for secondary education and Joseph Belletiere listed as an emergency fill-in.The school's maintenance and cleaning staff will see employee changes. Jordan Suveg resigned, leaving the crew short-handed. After Suveg's resignation, two full-time positions will be open. The custodial staff has been helping to pick up the slack, according to the board.The maintenance and cleaning staff have been working to add emergency lighting to the dark end of the property at the back of the building."With all the games coming up, this needs to get done quickly, we don't want anyone getting hurt back there," board member Girard Fewins said.Students of the MonthWeatherly's September Senior of the Month Trent Dempsey acted as student representative during the board's monthly meeting. He updated members about the high school's current fundraiser for Tweedle Park. The school will be selling hoagies to raise funds for maintenance at the park.According to Dempsey, the school's athletic teams have improved."The teams are doing good; they are not getting annihilated like last year, so that's good."Dempsey plans to enlist in the United States Naval Academy after graduation.High school Principal Stuart Tripler told the board Dempsey demonstrates leadership skills among his peers."When he transferred in sophomore year I told him to take every leadership opportunity he can," Tripler said.Dempsey is involved in a number of activities including the National Honor Society, working as treasurer of the yearbook and helps with the annual Weatherly Hill Climb."He's a personable person," Tripler said.Along with Dempsey, students recognized in September included sixth-grader Rhianne Markovchick; seventh-grader Ashley James, who is currently working on organizing a walk-a-thon project; and eighth-grader Amanda DeLeon.