I am quite prepared to say it, because I have the records to prove it. If the claim is in order the longest delay in the Department is between two and five days; that is remarkably swift by any standards. I am not saying that the chairperson deliberately would not pay the substitute teacher, what I am saying is that he may not be there when the cheque arrives. In the next school year we will pay them directly. Should there be any mechanical reason the system is not in operation in September, I would consider saying something to chairpersons.
Perhaps there was a delay in submitting the claims. The substitutes have to compile the claim and submit it. Our time span is two to five days between the time we get the claim and the cheque is posted. Then it has to be delivered. I think the way we are going to handle it, by direct payment is the best way. Should there be any delay in the direct payment system, we would consider issuing very strong guidelines to chairpersons.