<p>More than 300 staff members and substitute teachers at Franklin schools will get a raise next school year.</p>
<p>Starting pay for substitute teachers will be raised to $70 per day, up $10, with higher pay for people with an education license. Retired Franklin school teachers will earn $90 per day when they work as substitutes, according to the agreement.</p>
<p>The hourly pay for support staff employees, such as secretaries, classroom assistants, food service workers, study hall monitors and custodians, will increase by 1 percent, as unanimously approved by the school board Monday night.</p>
<p>School officials wanted to increase the pay rate for support staff members to keep up with other similar school districts, said Franklin executive director of finance Jeff Mercer.</p>
<p>Support staff members are also eligible for a 2.5 percent raise if they score positively in their annual evaluation.</p>
<p>The 1 and 2.5 percent raises are expected to cost the school district about $150,000, Mercer said.</p>
