diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bc7b0dd..edba579 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ Simulation tunables live under the `Simulation` section of
 | `ModsDirectory` | `mods` | pack folders; `core` is required |
 | `SaveIntervalSeconds` | 30 | rare clock snapshot; not every tick |
 | `MinSaveIntervalMilliseconds` | 1000 | shortest gap between saves caused by pause or speed |
-| `MonthlyPayrollCap` | 10000 | monthly payroll the player may commit; hire and extra subjects that would exceed it are rejected |
+| `MonthlyPayrollCap` | 40000 | monthly payroll the player may commit; hires and assignments that would exceed it are rejected |
 | `SchoolWeekDays` | 5 | working days from Monday (5 is Mon–Fri; 6 adds Saturday) |
 
 ## What is deliberately missing
diff --git a/docs/design/staffing.md b/docs/design/staffing.md
index d4799e4..ec90211 100644
--- a/docs/design/staffing.md
+++ b/docs/design/staffing.md
@@ -135,11 +135,20 @@
 учебного плана. Назначили человеку математику — он забирает все часы математики во всех
 параллелях, где она преподаётся, и это может оказаться много.
 
+Ниже одной ставки (`BaseWeeklyHours`) не платят: нанятый стоит денег, даже если ему ничего не
+назначили. Иначе набрать полный штат «про запас» было бы бесплатно.
+
 Отсюда два ограничения вместо одного:
 
-- **Деньги.** Фонд оплаты не может превысить выделенную сумму.
-- **Человек.** Никто не может вести больше `MaxWeeklyHours` часов в неделю. Если часов предмета
-  больше, чем вытянет один, нужен второй учитель того же предмета — часы делятся между ними.
+- **Деньги.** Фонд оплаты не может превысить выделенную сумму. Проверяется при найме и назначении.
+- **Человек.** Никто не вытянет больше `MaxWeeklyHours` часов. Если часов предмета больше, нужен
+  второй учитель — часы делятся между ними, и первому становится легче и дешевле.
+
+**Предел часов не запрещает назначение, а помечает предмет непокрытым.** Запрет завёл бы в тупик:
+первый учитель предмета всегда получает все его часы, поэтому первым не смог бы стать никто.
+Считать часы «до предела» тоже нельзя — тогда седьмой предмет тому, кто уже за пределом, достаётся
+бесплатно, а это ровно та дыра, ради которой почасовая оплата и вводилась. Поэтому часы считаются
+целиком, деньги это показывают, а список непокрытого говорит, что один человек столько не выучит.
 
 Поэтому «нанять посильнее» и «нагрузить одного вместо двоих» — два разных способа потратить один
 фонд, и в этом весь выбор среза. Дешёвый учитель, взявший три предмета, упрётся в часы; дорогой
@@ -218,8 +227,10 @@
 | Пул | Общий, обновляется раз в неделю частично, детерминированно |
 | Учебный план | Часы в неделю по параллелям — поле `SubjectDef`, а не задел |
 | Запрос по деньгам | Цена часа: от навыков и от черт (самоуверенный просит больше) |
-| Зарплата | Цена часа × недельная нагрузка из учебного плана |
-| Предел нагрузки | `MaxWeeklyHours` на человека; сверх — нужен второй учитель предмета |
+| Зарплата | Цена часа × недельная нагрузка из учебного плана, но не меньше одной ставки |
+| Деление часов | Учителя одного предмета делят его часы поровну |
+| Предел нагрузки | `MaxWeeklyHours` не запрещает назначение, а делает предмет непокрытым |
+| Непокрытый предмет | Нет учителя **или** назначенные не вытягивают его часы |
 | Бюджет | Фиксированная сумма в месяц из настроек; баланса нет |
 | Предел | Фонд оплаты не может превысить выделенное; проверка в момент действия |
 | Экран | Два верхних раздела под часами: «Обзор» и «Управление» |
diff --git a/docs/phases/12-hiring-budget.md b/docs/phases/12-hiring-budget.md
index 10e1155..58b2c65 100644
--- a/docs/phases/12-hiring-budget.md
+++ b/docs/phases/12-hiring-budget.md
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@
 ## Задачи
 
 - [x] Выделяемая на месяц сумма — в `SimulationOptions`, с умолчанием
-- [x] Фонд оплаты школы: сумма базовых ставок плюс надбавки за предметы сверх первого
+- [x] Фонд оплаты школы: у каждого цена часа × недельная нагрузка, но не меньше одной ставки.
+      Нагрузка берётся из учебного плана и делится между учителями предмета
 - [x] Наём: соискатель уходит из пула, становится работником, попадает в ростер. Родитель
       остаётся родителем — новой сущности не заводится
 - [x] Назначение предмета нанятому и снятие предмета
diff --git a/docs/protocol.md b/docs/protocol.md
index ad1a918..eb5fa28 100644
--- a/docs/protocol.md
+++ b/docs/protocol.md
@@ -229,10 +229,18 @@ Money, uncovered subjects, the applicant pool and current staff. Reads the **pub
 roster, applicant snapshot and catalog — it does not post to the worker. Unknown `{id}` is
 `404` `unknown-school`. `?lang=ru|en` labels subjects and positions.
 
-`allocated` is `Simulation:MonthlyPayrollCap`. `payroll` is the sum of each staff member's
-monthly base (`hourlyWageAsk × baseWeeklyHours × weeksPerMonth`) plus
-`extraSubjectSurcharge` of that base for every subject after the first. The cap is checked
-when hiring or assigning, not at month end; money itself does not move.
+`allocated` is `Simulation:MonthlyPayrollCap`. A staff member is paid
+`hourlyWageAsk × weeklyHours × weeksPerMonth`, never less than one full rate
+(`baseWeeklyHours`), and `payroll` is the sum over staff. The cap is checked when hiring or
+assigning, not at month end; money itself does not move.
+
+`weeklyHours` is not stored: it is the curriculum. For every subject assigned to a person,
+`hoursPerWeek` of that subject across the classes that study it, divided between everyone
+teaching it. So a second teacher of a subject halves what the first one carries — and costs.
+
+A subject appears in `uncovered` when nobody teaches it **or** when the people who do cannot
+between them carry its hours (`maxWeeklyHours` each). Both mean the same thing to a player:
+those lessons will not happen.
 
 ```json
 {
@@ -270,7 +278,8 @@ when hiring or assigning, not at month end; money itself does not move.
       "position": "Teacher",
       "positionLabel": "Учитель",
       "hourlyWageAsk": 50,
-      "monthlyPay": 5000,
+      "weeklyHours": 35,
+      "monthlyPay": 7000,
       "subjects": [{ "defName": "Mathematics", "label": "Математика" }]
     }
   ],
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Client/src/i18n/strings.ts b/src/HSchool.Client/src/i18n/strings.ts
index 9a88971..9872f57 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Client/src/i18n/strings.ts
+++ b/src/HSchool.Client/src/i18n/strings.ts
@@ -142,6 +142,8 @@ const ru = {
   staffColSkills: 'Навыки',
   staffColPosition: 'Должность',
   staffColSubjects: 'Предметы',
+  staffColHours: 'Часов',
+  staffHours: '{n} ч/нед',
   staffColPay: 'В месяц',
   staffAsk: '{hourly}/ч · {monthly}/мес',
   staffSubjectRange: '{label} ({min}–{max})',
@@ -331,6 +333,8 @@ const en: Messages = {
   staffColSkills: 'Skills',
   staffColPosition: 'Position',
   staffColSubjects: 'Subjects',
+  staffColHours: 'Hours',
+  staffHours: '{n} h/wk',
   staffColPay: 'Monthly',
   staffAsk: '{hourly}/h · {monthly}/mo',
   staffSubjectRange: '{label} ({min}–{max})',
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Client/src/net/api.ts b/src/HSchool.Client/src/net/api.ts
index 87a6901..9d9bbde 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Client/src/net/api.ts
+++ b/src/HSchool.Client/src/net/api.ts
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ export interface StaffMember {
   readonly position: string;
   readonly positionLabel: string;
   readonly hourlyWageAsk: number;
+  readonly weeklyHours: number;
   readonly monthlyPay: number;
   readonly subjects: readonly DefLabel[];
 }
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Client/src/ui/managementPanel.ts b/src/HSchool.Client/src/ui/managementPanel.ts
index 3070404..075eefa 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Client/src/ui/managementPanel.ts
+++ b/src/HSchool.Client/src/ui/managementPanel.ts
@@ -338,6 +338,7 @@ export class ManagementPanel {
           el('th', { text: t('staffColName') }),
           el('th', { text: t('staffColPosition') }),
           el('th', { text: t('staffColSubjects') }),
+          el('th', { text: t('staffColHours') }),
           el('th', { text: t('staffColPay') }),
         ),
       ),
@@ -360,6 +361,7 @@ export class ManagementPanel {
         name,
         el('td', { text: member.positionLabel }),
         el('td', { text: member.subjects.map((subject) => subject.label).join(', ') || '—' }),
+        el('td', { text: t('staffHours', { n: formatHours(member.weeklyHours) }) }),
         el('td', { text: formatMoney(member.monthlyPay) }),
       );
       body.append(row);
@@ -668,6 +670,10 @@ function fillSelect(
   }
 }
 
+function formatHours(value: number): string {
+  return new Intl.NumberFormat(intlTag(), { maximumFractionDigits: 1 }).format(value);
+}
+
 function formatMoney(value: number): string {
   return new Intl.NumberFormat(intlTag(), { maximumFractionDigits: 2 }).format(value);
 }
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefValidator.cs b/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefValidator.cs
index 7cd630d..73542e5 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefValidator.cs
+++ b/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefValidator.cs
@@ -327,9 +327,11 @@ internal static class PeopleDefValidator
             throw new ContentLoadException($"StaffingDef '{staffing.DefName}' monthly hours must be positive.");
         }
 
-        if (staffing.ExtraSubjectSurcharge < 0f)
+        if (staffing.MaxWeeklyHours < staffing.BaseWeeklyHours)
         {
-            throw new ContentLoadException($"StaffingDef '{staffing.DefName}' extraSubjectSurcharge cannot be negative.");
+            throw new ContentLoadException(
+                $"StaffingDef '{staffing.DefName}' maxWeeklyHours must be at least baseWeeklyHours: "
+                + "nobody can be paid for a full rate they are not allowed to work.");
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefs.cs b/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefs.cs
index b210a33..013abc1 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefs.cs
+++ b/src/HSchool.Content/PeopleDefs.cs
@@ -181,16 +181,19 @@ public sealed class StaffingDef : Def
 
     public float HourlyWagePerSkill { get; init; }
 
-    /// <summary>Hours assumed in the monthly base rate. Extra subjects add a surcharge on top.</summary>
+    /// <summary>
+    /// One full rate. A hired person is paid for at least this many hours even with nothing
+    /// assigned; hours beyond it are paid on top.
+    /// </summary>
     public float BaseWeeklyHours { get; init; }
 
-    public float WeeksPerMonth { get; init; }
-
     /// <summary>
-    /// Added to the monthly base for each subject after the first. <c>0.25</c> means a second
-    /// subject costs 25% of the base rate.
+    /// Most hours one person can carry. A subject whose curriculum needs more than this needs a
+    /// second teacher — the hours are then shared between them.
     /// </summary>
-    public float ExtraSubjectSurcharge { get; init; }
+    public float MaxWeeklyHours { get; init; }
+
+    public float WeeksPerMonth { get; init; }
 }
 
 public enum BodyAttributeKind
diff --git a/src/HSchool.People/Staffing.cs b/src/HSchool.People/Staffing.cs
index bf50351..a2d12ce 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.People/Staffing.cs
+++ b/src/HSchool.People/Staffing.cs
@@ -38,31 +38,103 @@ public static class Staffing
     public static StaffingOutcome UnknownSchool() =>
         Fail(StaffingError.UnknownSchool, new Roster([], [], []), ApplicantPool.Empty, allocated: 0, payroll: 0, attempted: 0);
 
+    /// <summary>What one full rate costs at this price per hour — the floor under any hire.</summary>
     public static float MonthlyBase(StaffingDef rules, float hourlyAsk) =>
         Round(hourlyAsk * rules.BaseWeeklyHours * rules.WeeksPerMonth);
 
-    public static float MonthlyPay(StaffingDef rules, float hourlyAsk, int subjectCount)
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Price of an hour times the hours actually carried, never below one full rate. A hired
+    /// person costs something even with nothing assigned; loading them past the rate costs more.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static float MonthlyPay(StaffingDef rules, float hourlyAsk, float weeklyHours) =>
+        Round(hourlyAsk * Math.Max(weeklyHours, rules.BaseWeeklyHours) * rules.WeeksPerMonth);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Weekly hours this person carries: for every subject assigned to them, the curriculum hours
+    /// of that subject across the classes that study it, split between everyone teaching it.
+    ///
+    /// Deliberately not capped at <see cref="StaffingDef.MaxWeeklyHours"/>. Refusing the
+    /// assignment would deadlock — the first teacher of a subject always inherits all of its
+    /// hours, so nobody could ever be the first. Capping what is paid would be worse: piling a
+    /// seventh subject onto someone already at the cap would cost nothing, which is the loophole
+    /// the hourly model exists to close. So the hours count in full, the money says so, and
+    /// <see cref="Uncovered"/> is what reports that one person cannot really teach all of it.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static float WeeklyHours(DefCatalog catalog, Roster roster, Person person)
     {
-        var extras = Math.Max(0, subjectCount - 1);
-        return Round(MonthlyBase(rules, hourlyAsk) * (1f + (rules.ExtraSubjectSurcharge * extras)));
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(catalog);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(roster);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(person);
+
+        if (person.Subjects.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return 0f;
+        }
+
+        var hours = 0f;
+        foreach (var subject in person.Subjects)
+        {
+            hours += SubjectHours(catalog, roster, subject) / Math.Max(1, TeachersOf(roster, subject));
+        }
+
+        return hours;
     }
 
-    public static float Payroll(StaffingDef rules, IEnumerable<Person> people)
+    /// <summary>Curriculum hours a subject needs each week across every class that studies it.</summary>
+    public static float SubjectHours(DefCatalog catalog, Roster roster, string subject)
+    {
+        if (!catalog.Subjects.TryGetValue(subject, out var def) || def.Abstract)
+        {
+            return 0f;
+        }
+
+        var classes = 0;
+        foreach (var schoolClass in roster.Classes)
+        {
+            if (schoolClass.Year >= def.Grades.Min && schoolClass.Year <= def.Grades.Max)
+            {
+                classes++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return def.HoursPerWeek * classes;
+    }
+
+    private static int TeachersOf(Roster roster, string subject)
+    {
+        var count = 0;
+        foreach (var person in roster.People)
+        {
+            if (person.IsStaff && person.Subjects.Contains(subject, StringComparer.Ordinal))
+            {
+                count++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return count;
+    }
+
+    public static float Payroll(DefCatalog catalog, StaffingDef rules, Roster roster)
     {
         var total = 0f;
-        foreach (var person in people)
+        foreach (var person in roster.People)
         {
             if (!person.IsStaff || person.HourlyWageAsk is not { } ask)
             {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            total += MonthlyPay(rules, ask, person.Subjects.Count);
+            total += MonthlyPay(rules, ask, WeeklyHours(catalog, roster, person));
         }
 
         return Round(total);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Subjects the school cannot actually teach: nobody is assigned them, or the people who are
+    /// cannot between them carry the curriculum hours. Both read the same way to a player — the
+    /// lessons will not happen — so both belong in one list.
+    /// </summary>
     public static IReadOnlyList<SubjectDef> Uncovered(DefCatalog catalog, Roster roster)
     {
         var years = new HashSet<int>();
@@ -71,7 +143,7 @@ public static class Staffing
             years.Add(schoolClass.Year);
         }
 
-        var taught = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        var teachers = new Dictionary<string, int>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
         foreach (var person in roster.People)
         {
             if (!person.IsStaff)
@@ -81,19 +153,24 @@ public static class Staffing
 
             foreach (var subject in person.Subjects)
             {
-                taught.Add(subject);
+                teachers[subject] = teachers.TryGetValue(subject, out var count) ? count + 1 : 1;
             }
         }
 
+        var cap = catalog.StaffingRules?.MaxWeeklyHours ?? 0f;
         var uncovered = new List<SubjectDef>();
         foreach (var subject in catalog.Subjects.Values)
         {
-            if (subject.Abstract || !TouchesYears(subject, years) || taught.Contains(subject.DefName))
+            if (subject.Abstract || !TouchesYears(subject, years))
             {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            uncovered.Add(subject);
+            var assigned = teachers.GetValueOrDefault(subject.DefName);
+            if (assigned == 0 || (cap > 0f && SubjectHours(catalog, roster, subject.DefName) > assigned * cap))
+            {
+                uncovered.Add(subject);
+            }
         }
 
         return uncovered;
@@ -109,7 +186,7 @@ public static class Staffing
         float allocated)
     {
         var rules = RequireRules(catalog);
-        var payroll = Payroll(rules, roster.People);
+        var payroll = Payroll(catalog, rules, roster);
 
         if (roster.People.Any(person => person.Id.Equals(personId, StringComparison.Ordinal) && person.IsStaff))
         {
@@ -132,13 +209,6 @@ public static class Staffing
             return Fail(StaffingError.NoOpening, roster, pool, allocated, payroll, payroll);
         }
 
-        var pay = MonthlyPay(rules, applicant.HourlyWageAsk, subjectCount: 0);
-        var attempted = Round(payroll + pay);
-        if (attempted > allocated)
-        {
-            return Fail(StaffingError.PayrollExceeded, roster, pool, allocated, payroll, attempted);
-        }
-
         var hired = applicant.Person with
         {
             IsStaff = true,
@@ -148,9 +218,17 @@ public static class Staffing
             Subjects = [],
         };
 
+        // Priced on the resulting roster, not by adding one salary: hours are shared between the
+        // teachers of a subject, so one person joining can change what the others cost.
         var nextRoster = UpsertStaff(roster, hired);
+        var attempted = Payroll(catalog, rules, nextRoster);
+        if (attempted > allocated)
+        {
+            return Fail(StaffingError.PayrollExceeded, roster, pool, allocated, payroll, attempted);
+        }
+
         var nextPool = pool.Without(personId);
-        return Ok(nextRoster, nextPool, allocated, Payroll(rules, nextRoster.People));
+        return Ok(nextRoster, nextPool, allocated, attempted);
     }
 
     public static StaffingOutcome AssignSubject(
@@ -162,7 +240,7 @@ public static class Staffing
         float allocated)
     {
         var rules = RequireRules(catalog);
-        var payroll = Payroll(rules, roster.People);
+        var payroll = Payroll(catalog, rules, roster);
         var index = IndexOf(roster, personId);
         if (index < 0)
         {
@@ -192,18 +270,14 @@ public static class Staffing
 
         var ask = person.HourlyWageAsk ?? ApplicantPool.HourlyAsk(catalog, person);
         var nextSubjects = person.Subjects.Append(subject).ToArray();
-        var currentPay = person.HourlyWageAsk is float currentAsk
-            ? MonthlyPay(rules, currentAsk, person.Subjects.Count)
-            : MonthlyPay(rules, ask, person.Subjects.Count);
-        var nextPay = MonthlyPay(rules, ask, nextSubjects.Length);
-        var attempted = Round(payroll - currentPay + nextPay);
+        var nextRoster = Replace(roster, index, person with { HourlyWageAsk = ask, Subjects = nextSubjects });
+        var attempted = Payroll(catalog, rules, nextRoster);
         if (attempted > allocated)
         {
             return Fail(StaffingError.PayrollExceeded, roster, pool, allocated, payroll, attempted);
         }
 
-        var nextRoster = Replace(roster, index, person with { HourlyWageAsk = ask, Subjects = nextSubjects });
-        return Ok(nextRoster, pool, allocated, Payroll(rules, nextRoster.People));
+        return Ok(nextRoster, pool, allocated, attempted);
     }
 
     public static StaffingOutcome UnassignSubject(
@@ -215,7 +289,7 @@ public static class Staffing
         float allocated)
     {
         var rules = RequireRules(catalog);
-        var payroll = Payroll(rules, roster.People);
+        var payroll = Payroll(catalog, rules, roster);
         var index = IndexOf(roster, personId);
         if (index < 0)
         {
@@ -235,7 +309,7 @@ public static class Staffing
 
         var nextSubjects = person.Subjects.Where(name => !name.Equals(subject, StringComparison.Ordinal)).ToArray();
         var nextRoster = Replace(roster, index, person with { Subjects = nextSubjects });
-        return Ok(nextRoster, pool, allocated, Payroll(rules, nextRoster.People));
+        return Ok(nextRoster, pool, allocated, Payroll(catalog, rules, nextRoster));
     }
 
     private static StaffingOutcome Ok(Roster roster, ApplicantPool pool, float allocated, float payroll) =>
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Schedule/TimetablePlanner.cs b/src/HSchool.Schedule/TimetablePlanner.cs
index 7ea664f..b983e4f 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Schedule/TimetablePlanner.cs
+++ b/src/HSchool.Schedule/TimetablePlanner.cs
@@ -56,14 +56,7 @@ public static class TimetablePlanner
                 demand.Hours,
                 placed);
 
-            if (leftover > 0)
-            {
-                demand.Hours = leftover;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                demand.Hours = 0;
-            }
+            demand.Hours = leftover;
         }
 
         var uncovered = remaining
@@ -162,6 +155,14 @@ public static class TimetablePlanner
         return leftover;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Picks the slot, and the order days are tried in is the whole difference between a timetable
+    /// and a pile of lessons. Scanning day 0 upwards and taking the first free slot produced blocks
+    /// of the same subject and a week that ran out by Thursday: Monday held 77 lessons, Friday 16.
+    ///
+    /// So days are ranked instead: first those that do not have this subject yet, then the emptiest
+    /// one for this class. Periods stay ascending inside the chosen day, so a day has no holes.
+    /// </summary>
     private static bool TryPlaceOne(
         Occupancy occupancy,
         string classId,
@@ -172,7 +173,26 @@ public static class TimetablePlanner
         int lessonCount,
         List<LessonPlacement> placed)
     {
+        var days = new int[weekDays];
         for (var day = 0; day < weekDays; day++)
+        {
+            days[day] = day;
+        }
+
+        Array.Sort(days, (left, right) =>
+        {
+            var bySubject = occupancy.SubjectLoad(classId, subject, left)
+                .CompareTo(occupancy.SubjectLoad(classId, subject, right));
+            if (bySubject != 0)
+            {
+                return bySubject;
+            }
+
+            var byDay = occupancy.DayLoad(classId, left).CompareTo(occupancy.DayLoad(classId, right));
+            return byDay != 0 ? byDay : left.CompareTo(right);
+        });
+
+        foreach (var day in days)
         {
             for (var period = 1; period <= lessonCount; period++)
             {
@@ -313,17 +333,33 @@ public static class TimetablePlanner
         private readonly HashSet<(string Id, int Day, int Period)> _classes = [];
         private readonly HashSet<(string Id, int Day, int Period)> _teachers = [];
         private readonly HashSet<(string Id, int Day, int Period)> _rooms = [];
+        private readonly Dictionary<(string ClassId, int Day), int> _dayLoad = [];
+        private readonly Dictionary<(string ClassId, string Subject, int Day), int> _subjectLoad = [];
 
         public bool IsFree(string classId, string teacherId, string roomId, int day, int period) =>
             !_classes.Contains((classId, day, period))
             && !_teachers.Contains((teacherId, day, period))
             && !_rooms.Contains((roomId, day, period));
 
+        /// <summary>How many lessons this class already has that day — counted, not recomputed.</summary>
+        public int DayLoad(string classId, int day) =>
+            _dayLoad.TryGetValue((classId, day), out var count) ? count : 0;
+
+        /// <summary>How many lessons of this subject this class already has that day.</summary>
+        public int SubjectLoad(string classId, string subject, int day) =>
+            _subjectLoad.TryGetValue((classId, subject, day), out var count) ? count : 0;
+
         public void Add(LessonPlacement lesson)
         {
             _classes.Add((lesson.ClassId, lesson.Day, lesson.Period));
             _teachers.Add((lesson.TeacherId, lesson.Day, lesson.Period));
             _rooms.Add((lesson.RoomId, lesson.Day, lesson.Period));
+
+            var day = (lesson.ClassId, lesson.Day);
+            _dayLoad[day] = (_dayLoad.TryGetValue(day, out var lessons) ? lessons : 0) + 1;
+
+            var subject = (lesson.ClassId, lesson.Subject, lesson.Day);
+            _subjectLoad[subject] = (_subjectLoad.TryGetValue(subject, out var same) ? same : 0) + 1;
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Server/Api/PeopleModels.cs b/src/HSchool.Server/Api/PeopleModels.cs
index d0e2060..11ea19d 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Server/Api/PeopleModels.cs
+++ b/src/HSchool.Server/Api/PeopleModels.cs
@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ internal sealed record StaffMemberResponse(
     string Position,
     string PositionLabel,
     float HourlyWageAsk,
+    float WeeklyHours,
     float MonthlyPay,
     IReadOnlyList<DefLabelResponse> Subjects);
 
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ internal static class StaffingMapper
         roster ??= new Roster([], [], []);
         pool ??= ApplicantPool.Empty;
         var rules = catalog?.StaffingRules;
-        var payroll = rules is null ? 0f : Staffing.Payroll(rules, roster.People);
+        var payroll = rules is null || catalog is null ? 0f : Staffing.Payroll(catalog, rules, roster);
         var remaining = MathF.Round(MathF.Max(0f, allocated - payroll), 2);
 
         var uncovered = catalog is null
@@ -257,7 +258,7 @@ internal static class StaffingMapper
             .Where(person => person.IsStaff)
             .OrderBy(person => person.Name.Surname, StringComparer.Ordinal)
             .ThenBy(person => person.Id, StringComparer.Ordinal)
-            .Select(person => Member(person, catalog, rules, locale, asOf))
+            .Select(person => Member(person, roster, catalog, rules, locale, asOf))
             .ToArray();
 
         var positions = catalog is null
@@ -300,13 +301,15 @@ internal static class StaffingMapper
 
     private static StaffMemberResponse Member(
         Person person,
+        Roster roster,
         DefCatalog? catalog,
         StaffingDef? rules,
         string locale,
         DateTime asOf)
     {
         var ask = person.HourlyWageAsk ?? 0f;
-        var pay = rules is null ? 0f : Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, ask, person.Subjects.Count);
+        var hours = catalog is null ? 0f : Staffing.WeeklyHours(catalog, roster, person);
+        var pay = rules is null ? 0f : Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, ask, hours);
         var subjects = person.Subjects
             .Select(name => new DefLabelResponse(
                 name,
@@ -324,6 +327,7 @@ internal static class StaffingMapper
             person.Position ?? string.Empty,
             PeopleListMapper.PositionLabel(catalog, locale, person.Position) ?? person.Position ?? string.Empty,
             ask,
+            MathF.Round(hours, 1),
             pay,
             subjects);
     }
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Server/appsettings.json b/src/HSchool.Server/appsettings.json
index 8e3c2f8..18c0ec9 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Server/appsettings.json
+++ b/src/HSchool.Server/appsettings.json
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
-{
-  "Logging": {
-    "LogLevel": {
-      "Default": "Information",
-      "Microsoft.AspNetCore": "Warning"
-    }
-  },
-  "AllowedHosts": "*",
-  "Simulation": {
-    "TickRate": 20,
-    "MaxSchools": 6,
-    "GameMinutesPerRealSecond": 5,
-    "DefaultStartDate": "2012-03-31T06:00:00",
-    "SavesDirectory": "saves",
-    "ModsDirectory": "mods",
-    "SaveIntervalSeconds": 30,
-    "MonthlyPayrollCap": 10000,
-    "SchoolWeekDays": 5
-  }
-}
+{
+  "Logging": {
+    "LogLevel": {
+      "Default": "Information",
+      "Microsoft.AspNetCore": "Warning"
+    }
+  },
+  "AllowedHosts": "*",
+  "Simulation": {
+    "TickRate": 20,
+    "MaxSchools": 6,
+    "GameMinutesPerRealSecond": 5,
+    "DefaultStartDate": "2012-03-31T06:00:00",
+    "SavesDirectory": "saves",
+    "ModsDirectory": "mods",
+    "SaveIntervalSeconds": 30,
+    "MonthlyPayrollCap": 40000,
+    "SchoolWeekDays": 5
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Server/mods/core/defs/staffing/rules.jsonc b/src/HSchool.Server/mods/core/defs/staffing/rules.jsonc
index 6dbaf56..e7cb673 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Server/mods/core/defs/staffing/rules.jsonc
+++ b/src/HSchool.Server/mods/core/defs/staffing/rules.jsonc
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@
   "parentChance": 0.35,
   "hourlyWageBase": 30,
   "hourlyWagePerSkill": 0.6,
+  // One ставка. A hired person costs this much even with no subjects, and hours beyond it are
+  // paid on top — that is what makes loading one teacher instead of hiring two cost money.
   "baseWeeklyHours": 20,
+  // Nobody can carry more than this. Past it the subject needs a second teacher.
+  "maxWeeklyHours": 36,
   "weeksPerMonth": 4,
-  "extraSubjectSurcharge": 0.25,
 }
diff --git a/src/HSchool.Simulation/SimulationOptions.cs b/src/HSchool.Simulation/SimulationOptions.cs
index 275a2e3..231b18f 100644
--- a/src/HSchool.Simulation/SimulationOptions.cs
+++ b/src/HSchool.Simulation/SimulationOptions.cs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public sealed class SimulationOptions
     /// Monthly payroll the player may commit. Hire and subject assignment that would exceed it
     /// are rejected immediately; money itself does not move.
     /// </summary>
-    public float MonthlyPayrollCap { get; set; } = 10_000f;
+    public float MonthlyPayrollCap { get; set; } = 40_000f;
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Working days from Monday. Five is Mon–Fri; six adds Saturday; seven is every day.
diff --git a/tests/HSchool.AppHost.Tests/StaffingApiTests.cs b/tests/HSchool.AppHost.Tests/StaffingApiTests.cs
index c47d1ca..01f9c7b 100644
--- a/tests/HSchool.AppHost.Tests/StaffingApiTests.cs
+++ b/tests/HSchool.AppHost.Tests/StaffingApiTests.cs
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ public class StaffingApiTests(AppHostFixture fixture)
 
         var staffing = await GetStaffingAsync(client, school.Id);
 
-        Assert.Equal(10_000f, staffing.Allocated);
+        Assert.Equal(40_000f, staffing.Allocated);
         Assert.Equal(0f, staffing.Payroll);
-        Assert.Equal(10_000f, staffing.Remaining);
+        Assert.Equal(40_000f, staffing.Remaining);
         Assert.Equal(12, staffing.Applicants.Count);
         Assert.Empty(staffing.Staff);
         Assert.Contains(staffing.Uncovered, subject => subject.DefName == "Mathematics");
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ public class StaffingApiTests(AppHostFixture fixture)
         }
 
         Assert.Equal("payroll-exceeded", problem?.Code);
-        Assert.Equal(10_000f, problem?.Allocated);
-        Assert.True(problem?.Payroll <= 10_000f);
-        Assert.True(problem?.Attempted > 10_000f);
+        Assert.Equal(40_000f, problem?.Allocated);
+        Assert.True(problem?.Payroll <= 40_000f);
+        Assert.True(problem?.Attempted > 40_000f);
         Assert.True(staffing.Staff.Count >= 1);
     }
 
@@ -165,7 +165,8 @@ public class StaffingApiTests(AppHostFixture fixture)
         var teacher = hired.Staff.Single();
 
         var assigned = await AssignAsync(client, school.Id, teacher.Id, "Mathematics");
-        Assert.Equal(hired.Payroll, assigned.Payroll);
+        // The first subject already costs: 35 curriculum hours is well past one full rate.
+        Assert.True(assigned.Payroll > hired.Payroll);
 
         assigned = await AssignAsync(client, school.Id, teacher.Id, "RussianLanguage");
         Assert.True(assigned.Payroll > hired.Payroll);
diff --git a/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/PeopleDefTests.cs b/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/PeopleDefTests.cs
index 166b23a..e6e156c 100644
--- a/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/PeopleDefTests.cs
+++ b/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/PeopleDefTests.cs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ public class PeopleDefTests
         Assert.Equal(12, catalog.StaffingRules.PoolSize);
         Assert.Equal(20, catalog.StaffingRules.BaseWeeklyHours);
         Assert.Equal(4, catalog.StaffingRules.WeeksPerMonth);
-        Assert.Equal(0.25f, catalog.StaffingRules.ExtraSubjectSurcharge);
+        Assert.Equal(36, catalog.StaffingRules.MaxWeeklyHours);
         Assert.Equal("Начальные классы", catalog.Label("ru", catalog.Subjects["PrimarySchool"]));
         Assert.Equal("Primary", catalog.Label("en", catalog.Subjects["PrimarySchool"]));
         Assert.NotNull(catalog.DayFrame);
diff --git a/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/VanillaCoreTests.cs b/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/VanillaCoreTests.cs
index 17e6d0c..b0cfa25 100644
--- a/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/VanillaCoreTests.cs
+++ b/tests/HSchool.Content.Tests/VanillaCoreTests.cs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public class VanillaCoreTests
         Assert.NotNull(catalog.StaffingRules);
         Assert.Equal(12, catalog.StaffingRules.PoolSize);
         Assert.Equal(20, catalog.StaffingRules.BaseWeeklyHours);
-        Assert.Equal(0.25f, catalog.StaffingRules.ExtraSubjectSurcharge);
+        Assert.Equal(36, catalog.StaffingRules.MaxWeeklyHours);
         Assert.NotNull(catalog.DayFrame);
         Assert.Equal("08:30", catalog.DayFrame.FirstLesson);
         Assert.Equal(7, catalog.DayFrame.LessonCount);
diff --git a/tests/HSchool.People.Tests/StaffingTests.cs b/tests/HSchool.People.Tests/StaffingTests.cs
index f612ec3..f84581e 100644
--- a/tests/HSchool.People.Tests/StaffingTests.cs
+++ b/tests/HSchool.People.Tests/StaffingTests.cs
@@ -4,16 +4,22 @@ public class StaffingTests
 {
     private const float Cap = 10_000f;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Price of an hour times the hours carried, with one full rate as the floor: a hired person
+    /// costs something even idle, and loading them past the rate costs more. The number of
+    /// subjects does not enter into it — twenty hours are twenty hours.
+    /// </summary>
     [Fact]
-    public void MonthlyPay_AddsSurchargeAfterTheFirstSubject()
+    public void MonthlyPay_IsHoursTimesTheHourlyAsk_WithAFullRateAsTheFloor()
     {
         var rules = Fixtures.Catalog().StaffingRules!;
 
         Assert.Equal(4_000f, Staffing.MonthlyBase(rules, 50f));
-        Assert.Equal(4_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 0));
-        Assert.Equal(4_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 1));
-        Assert.Equal(5_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 2));
-        Assert.Equal(6_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 3));
+        Assert.Equal(4_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 0f));
+        Assert.Equal(4_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 12f));
+        Assert.Equal(4_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 20f));
+        Assert.Equal(6_000f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 30f));
+        Assert.Equal(7_200f, Staffing.MonthlyPay(rules, 50f, 36f));
     }
 
     [Fact]
@@ -53,25 +59,85 @@ public class StaffingTests
         var hired = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, roster, pool, first.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, Cap);
         Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, hired.Error);
 
+        // Mathematics is 35 curriculum hours a week, Literature 21. At 37.5 an hour that is
+        // 37.5 × 56 × 4 = 8 400 a month for one person — and no room left for a second.
         var loaded = hired;
-        foreach (var subject in new[] { "Mathematics", "RussianLanguage", "Literature", "History", "Biology", "ForeignLanguage" })
+        foreach (var subject in new[] { "Mathematics", "Literature" })
         {
             loaded = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, first.Person.Id, subject, Cap);
             Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, loaded.Error);
         }
 
-        Assert.Equal(6_750f, loaded.Payroll);
+        Assert.Equal(8_400f, loaded.Payroll);
 
         var blocked = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, second.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, Cap);
         Assert.Equal(StaffingError.PayrollExceeded, blocked.Error);
 
-        var dropped = Staffing.UnassignSubject(catalog, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, first.Person.Id, "Biology", Cap);
+        var dropped = Staffing.UnassignSubject(catalog, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, first.Person.Id, "Literature", Cap);
         Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, dropped.Error);
-        Assert.Equal(6_000f, dropped.Payroll);
+        Assert.Equal(5_250f, dropped.Payroll);
 
         var fitted = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, dropped.Roster, dropped.Pool, second.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, Cap);
         Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, fitted.Error);
-        Assert.Equal(10_000f, fitted.Payroll);
+        Assert.Equal(9_250f, fitted.Payroll);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Two teachers of one subject split its hours, so the second one costs a full rate and makes
+    /// the first cheaper. That is the whole reason hiring another is not simply worse than loading
+    /// the one you have.
+    /// </summary>
+    [Fact]
+    public void TwoTeachersOfASubject_ShareItsHours()
+    {
+        var (catalog, map, roster, pool) = Fresh();
+        var first = WithAsk(pool.Applicants[0], 50f);
+        var second = WithAsk(pool.Applicants[1], 50f);
+        pool = pool with { Applicants = [first, second, .. pool.Applicants.Skip(2)] };
+
+        var one = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, roster, pool, first.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, 50_000f);
+        one = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, one.Roster, one.Pool, first.Person.Id, "Mathematics", 50_000f);
+
+        // All 35 hours on one person: 50 × 35 × 4.
+        Assert.Equal(7_000f, one.Payroll);
+
+        var two = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, one.Roster, one.Pool, second.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, 50_000f);
+        two = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, two.Roster, two.Pool, second.Person.Id, "Mathematics", 50_000f);
+
+        // 17.5 hours each, which is under a full rate, so both are paid the rate: 4 000 × 2.
+        Assert.Equal(8_000f, two.Payroll);
+        Assert.All(
+            two.Roster.People.Where(person => person.IsStaff),
+            person => Assert.Equal(17.5f, Staffing.WeeklyHours(catalog, two.Roster, person)));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Primary school is twenty hours a week for each of four classes. One teacher cannot carry
+    /// eighty hours whatever the budget says, so the subject stays on the uncovered list until
+    /// enough people share it.
+    /// </summary>
+    [Fact]
+    public void SubjectNeedingMoreHoursThanOnePersonCarries_StaysUncovered()
+    {
+        var (catalog, map, roster, pool) = Fresh();
+        var rules = catalog.StaffingRules!;
+        Assert.Equal(80f, Staffing.SubjectHours(catalog, roster, "PrimarySchool"));
+        Assert.True(80f > rules.MaxWeeklyHours);
+
+        var outcome = new StaffingOutcome(StaffingError.None, roster, pool, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+        for (var i = 0; i < 3; i++)
+        {
+            var applicant = outcome.Pool.Applicants[0];
+            outcome = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, outcome.Roster, outcome.Pool, applicant.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, 500_000f);
+            Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, outcome.Error);
+            outcome = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, outcome.Roster, outcome.Pool, applicant.Person.Id, "PrimarySchool", 500_000f);
+            Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, outcome.Error);
+
+            var stillShort = 80f > (i + 1) * rules.MaxWeeklyHours;
+            Assert.Equal(
+                stillShort,
+                Staffing.Uncovered(catalog, outcome.Roster).Any(subject => subject.DefName == "PrimarySchool"));
+        }
     }
 
     [Fact]
@@ -82,23 +148,22 @@ public class StaffingTests
         pool = pool with { Applicants = [applicant, .. pool.Applicants.Skip(1)] };
 
         var hired = Staffing.Hire(catalog, map, roster, pool, applicant.Person.Id, Staffing.TeacherPosition, Cap);
-        var loaded = hired;
-        foreach (var subject in new[] { "Mathematics", "RussianLanguage", "Literature", "History", "Biology", "Physics", "Chemistry" })
-        {
-            loaded = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, applicant.Person.Id, subject, Cap);
-            Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, loaded.Error);
-        }
+        Assert.Equal(4_000f, hired.Payroll);
 
-        Assert.Equal(10_000f, loaded.Payroll);
+        // Mathematics is 35 hours: 50 × 35 × 4 = 7 000.
+        var loaded = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, hired.Roster, hired.Pool, applicant.Person.Id, "Mathematics", Cap);
+        Assert.Equal(StaffingError.None, loaded.Error);
+        Assert.Equal(7_000f, loaded.Payroll);
 
-        var rejected = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, applicant.Person.Id, "Geography", Cap);
+        // Russian adds 28 more. 63 hours at 50 is 12 600 a month — past the 10 000 allocation.
+        var rejected = Staffing.AssignSubject(catalog, loaded.Roster, loaded.Pool, applicant.Person.Id, "RussianLanguage", Cap);
         Assert.Equal(StaffingError.PayrollExceeded, rejected.Error);
-        Assert.Equal(10_000f, rejected.Payroll);
-        Assert.Equal(11_000f, rejected.Attempted);
-        Assert.Equal(0f, rejected.Remaining);
+        Assert.Equal(7_000f, rejected.Payroll);
+        Assert.Equal(12_600f, rejected.Attempted);
+        Assert.Equal(3_000f, rejected.Remaining);
         Assert.DoesNotContain(
             rejected.Roster.People.Single(person => person.Id == applicant.Person.Id).Subjects,
-            name => name == "Geography");
+            name => name == "RussianLanguage");
     }
 
     [Fact]
diff --git a/tests/HSchool.Schedule.Tests/TimetablePlannerTests.cs b/tests/HSchool.Schedule.Tests/TimetablePlannerTests.cs
index 4b079bb..e349b04 100644
--- a/tests/HSchool.Schedule.Tests/TimetablePlannerTests.cs
+++ b/tests/HSchool.Schedule.Tests/TimetablePlannerTests.cs
@@ -146,6 +146,50 @@ public class TimetablePlannerTests
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The four bans alone allowed a legal but unusable week. Taking the first free slot day by
+    /// day gave a full school 77 lessons on Monday and 16 on Friday, with three foreign-language
+    /// lessons back to back. These are the numbers a timetable is judged by, so they are asserted.
+    /// </summary>
+    [Fact]
+    public void AWeek_IsSpreadAcrossDaysAndSubjectsDoNotRunInBlocks()
+    {
+        var catalog = Fixtures.Catalog();
+        var map = Fixtures.ClassroomsAndGym(11);
+        var classes = Enumerable.Range(0, 11).Select(index => Fixtures.Class(index, index + 1, 16)).ToArray();
+        var teachers = catalog.Subjects.Values
+            .Where(subject => !subject.Abstract)
+            .SelectMany(subject => Enumerable
+                .Range(0, 3)
+                .Select(copy => Fixtures.Teacher($"t{subject.DefName}{copy}", subject.DefName)))
+            .ToArray();
+
+        var table = TimetablePlanner.Build(catalog, map, classes, teachers);
+
+        var perDay = Enumerable.Range(0, 5).Select(day => table.Lessons.Count(lesson => lesson.Day == day)).ToArray();
+        Assert.All(perDay, count => Assert.True(count > 0, $"a school day is empty: {string.Join("/", perDay)}"));
+        Assert.True(
+            perDay.Max() <= perDay.Min() * 1.5,
+            $"the week is lopsided: {string.Join("/", perDay)}");
+
+        // Spread as evenly as the curriculum allows, not "never twice a day": primary school is
+        // twenty hours over five days, so four a day is the best that exists.
+        foreach (var group in table.Lessons.GroupBy(lesson => (lesson.ClassId, lesson.Subject)))
+        {
+            var bySubjectDay = Enumerable
+                .Range(0, 5)
+                .Select(day => group.Count(lesson => lesson.Day == day))
+                .ToArray();
+
+            // Two, not one: the day order is a preference, and a busy room or teacher can still
+            // push an hour onto a day that already has the subject. Before the fix the same
+            // measurement read 5/5/5/0/0.
+            Assert.True(
+                bySubjectDay.Max() - bySubjectDay.Min() <= 2,
+                $"{group.Key.ClassId} has {group.Key.Subject} bunched into days: {string.Join("/", bySubjectDay)}");
+        }
+    }
+
     private static string Snapshot(Timetable table) =>
         string.Join(
             '\n',