Borderland school districts in dire need of substitute teachers

EL PASO, Texas -- As students return to school after the pandemic, Borderland school districts find themselves low on substitute teachers.

In a statement from the Las Cruces Public Schools they said they "saw an intermittent increase in the number of teachers calling in sick against the availability of subs willing to pick up jobs to cover them."

In order to encourage teachers and substitutes to apply, LCPS is offering incentives.

"Effective immediately, LCPS will begin to compensate teachers who volunteer to use their planning period – and work afterhours to do their planning – to cover classes where a sub is needed. In addition, the current rate of $100 per day for substitute teachers will increase to $150 per day on Mondays and Fridays," the statement from LCPS said.

The Socorro Independent School District is also short on substitute teachers.

Chief Academic Officer Lucia Borrego told ABC-7 that they will offer extra incentives to prospective substitute teachers based on their college hours, degree and experience. The district, however, has yet to announce the bonus amounts that will be offered.