NORWICH – It has been more than eight years since Norwich substitutes received a raise in pay, a fact which doesn’t sit well with the district’s retired teachers.

“I just think that with the experience that I have ... that I’m worth more,” explained Jim Wysor, the retired Norwich High School science teacher who originally brought the matter to the school board’s attention in January.

Wysor returned to the board on March 17, and this time he brought back up. Showing their support for the retired teacher’s efforts were both other district retirees and several current Norwich teachers.

Despite this showing of support, however, Wysor is still finding the proposition a hard sell with members of the school board and the district’s administration. It’s not just the budget that stands in their way, although it is surely a factor. The real challenge is the administration, which doesn’t see a need for change because they say the district’s substitute compensation rates are largely on par with other local districts.

In Norwich, non-certified subs receive $60 a day in compensation, certified subs receive $65 and retired, certified teachers are paid a per diem rate of $100.