Thursday, August 19, 1999
Schools in search of subs
Four Warren Co. districts seek temporary teachers
BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Linda Burge expects to be in high demand this year. The Deerfield Township resident became a substitute teacher with Kings Local Schools last winter so she could get back into the classroom a little, now that her own three children have graduated from Kings High.
Substitute teaching was attractive for Mrs. Burge because it allows her to be flexible.
“I don't know that I would want to work full time. Subbing fits into my schedule really well,” Mrs. Burge said. “It's a very good way to get back in touch with young people and activities in the district.”
Tristate educators are hoping there are more like Mrs. Burge out there.
Only days before classes resume, four Warren County districts — Kings, Little Miami, Wayne and Carlisle — are searching for subs to stave off a “real critical” need, said John Lazares, superintendent of the Warren County Educational Service Center.
Administrators from those districts contacted Mr. Lazares and asked that he recruit subs by holding seminars. He estimated at least 100 more substitutes are needed in those four districts this year.
“They can hardly find any of them (subs),” Mr. Lazares said.
The strong economy has hurt the school substitute supply, even as many schools are in growth booms. Last year, substitute teacher pay averaged between $58 and $64 a day in the area. “A lot of people are getting jobs at fast food (restaurants) where they're getting benefits,” Mr. Lazares said.
Many subs like to target districts where they believe they have a shot at earning a full-time teaching job. But there hasn't been much turnover in some Warren County schools, which means they aren't attracting subs, Mr. Lazares said.
To substitute teach in Ohio, residents need a bachelor's degree and must go through the state's teacher certification process. That means filling out the application and undergoing a background check.
Loveland schools in Hamilton County have contracted about 60 substitutes this year, but that number typically drops off by the end of the year, said Greg Smith, the district's director of personnel.
“There's a shortage everywhere — I don't think we're going to be any different than anywhere else — we're going to need substitutes,” Mr. Smith said.
Some districts, such as Mason and Lakota, have boosted their sub pool by hosting seminars to recruit and train them.
“We worked really hard on increasing it (sub list) last year,” said David Koehler, superintendent of South Dearborn Schools in South Dearborn, Ind. “Most of them came back.”
To substitute in Indiana, residents need a high school diploma and must apply for a substitute teacher's license through the state professional standards board. That process includes a state police security check, Mr. Koehler said.
Boone County Schools in northern Kentucky were just approved for a state program that allows the district to expand its market for substitutes, said Superintendent Bryan Blavatt.
“Right now, we're fairly limited. This will give us the opportunity to recruit folks we weren't (recruiting) prior to (the program),” he said.
To substitute in Kentucky, residents need a bachelor's degree and proof of eligibility for a state teaching certificate. Others may be qualified as “emergency substitutes” if they have anywhere from 64 credits up to a bachelor's degree, said Lisa Gross, spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Education.
“I think every district is scrambling to fill that pool,” said Chris Gramke of the Campbell County Schools in northern Kentucky. “We're still down about 20 (subs) compared to last year. We'd like to get those numbers back up.”
Principals such as Sandy Wray in Springboro are sometimes forced to cancel special classes so teachers can fill in for their missing colleagues.
“In order to find someone who is not already subbing in another district, you just have to make a lot of phone calls,” said Mrs. Wray, principal of Clearcreek Elementary School. “I think we're beginning to feel the crunch of a teacher shortage.”
WANT TO TEACH?
• Those interested in substitute teaching in Warren County may contact John Lazares at the Warren County Educational Service Center at 925-2900.
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