Beginning in September for the 2023 - 2024 school year, substitute teachers are eligible to receive a $1,000 bonus each month they meet the following criteria:
- Serve as a substitute teacher every day classes are held for students from the 1st to the last day of each calendar month. Total number of days are determined by the Traditional calendar.
- Only licensed teacher absences/vacancies qualify for the bonus. Check with the treasurer at the school if you are unsure if an absence counts as a "licensed teacher" position.
- Work full-day assignments.
- Accept the classroom teacher position through AESOP.
- If the district needs to change a regular day to a remote day, that day will still be required to receive the bonus. Please make sure you have the necessary technology in place to fill a remote vacancy to be eligible for that month’s bonus.
- Meet the performance and conduct expectations of staff and school visitors outlined in the Employee Handbook and School Board Policies.
- Since retirees from the Teachers and State Employees Retirement Program (TSERS) are limited by the amount of time they are allowed to work for a State agency, they will be eligible for a prorated bonus amount of $800 per month if they work at least three full days each week (M-F) (two 1/2 days on different days do not equal 1 full day) and follow the other criteria listed above. North Carolina State retirees may work a maximum of 3.5 days each week.
The number of days required each month for non-state retirees is based on the 2023 - 2024 Traditional Academic Calendar.
*Note: Number of required days subject to change if changes are made to the Traditional Academic Calendar.
School calendars can be found here.
The monthly bonus will be paid within 30 days of validation of days worked. The bonus pay schedule does not coincide with the regular substitute pay schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of positions are eligible for the bonus?
Answer: Only licensed classroom teacher positions count for bonus eligibility. Check with the treasurer at the school before accepting a vacancy if you are unsure if the position is bonus eligible.
- How can I check if I will be eligible to receive the bonus at the end of each month?
Answer: Substitutes should log into Frontline/AESOP to view their job history throughout each month. For non-state retirees, you must have completed the number of full-day assignments for licensed teacher positions listed in the chart above. For North Carolina State retirees, you must have completed at least 3 full-day assignments for licensed teacher positions each week listed in the chart above.
- What do I do if I notice a day is missing from my AESOP records?
Answer: If you notice an error in your AESOP job history, notify the school at which you worked and ask them to make the necessary correction in AESOP.
- When will the bonus be paid?
Answer: The bonus for each month will be paid by the end of the next calendar month.
- If the district makes a school day “virtual/remote” due to inclement weather (or any other reason) will that day be required?
Answer: Yes, the total number of days listed above for each month will still be required if the district transitions to a “remote day”.
- What should I do if I am expecting the substitute bonus and do not receive it?
Answer: Check your AESOP job history to ensure the number of days and job types are correct for the bonus month. If you notice any errors, contact the school at which you worked and ask them to make the necessary corrections. After the corrections are made, contact the GCS Recruiting Office at (336) 378-8806 for a review and authorization of payment.
7. How many days must a retiree from the NC Teachers and State Employee retirement system work each week to be eligible?
Answer: State employee retirees who are under the earnings cap must work 3 full days each week. Two 1/2 days on different days do not equal 1 full day.
