The Gorham School Department is seeking solutions to a shortage of substitute teachers that is having a serious impact on the district’s staff and students. Since the beginning of the school year, a high rate of teacher and ed tech absences and a small pool of regular substitutes has resulted in 30% of substitute positions going unfilled.
Teachers are covering for colleagues during their planning time, ed techs are being pulled from learning labs in K-5 schools, and everyone is feeling stressed as they strive to provide quality education at a time when many COVID protocols still apply.
“Under these conditions, our professionals cannot feel successful. We need help,” Superintendent Heather Perry said.
Like many Maine school districts, Gorham has had a shortage of substitutes for years, but this year it has reached a crisis level. “We don’t have substitutes but we still have students,” said Perry as she outlined both short-term plans and discussed long-term solutions, including revisions in the pay and requirements for substitute positions.
The School Committee voted to authorize two additional early release days in December after Perry and Amanda Cooper, an eighth grade math teacher, took the problem to the November meeting. “Teachers don’t have time to do their job well,” Cooper said. “One teacher who was covering for another had 47 students for two days. And it takes more than an hour to prepare materials for quarantined students.” The SC will consider adding more half-day release days in January.
Photo credit Kathy CorbettMelissa Mullin teaching her 5th grade class at Great Falls Elementary School. On this day 13 staff members were absent and there were 7 positions uncovered. Ed techs were pulled from their regular assignments to help alleviate the shortage.
A long-term solution involves recruiting more substitutes. “Substitutes don’t just sit as room monitors, but are welcome in the classroom and contribute to our students’ education,” Perry said. To attract more applicants, she announced revisions in the levels of requirements and pay for substitutes.
Substitutes who are fully certified teachers will be paid a daily rate of $120; high school graduates willing to take a training class can earn $115, and others with a high school diploma can earn $105. The four-session training class will be held December 6, 7,13 and 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All substitutes, like all district staff, must pass a background check. To find out more and to apply, contact Adult Education through the Gorham School Department website.
Currently,the district has three ed tech positions open and is collaborating with Southern Maine Community College to provide training. After taking the SMCC course, an ed tech with a high school education is eligible for a full-time job that, after a year, pays $17.82 with benefits.
The district is always looking to hire bus drivers. Perry said that they have three openings with two drivers in training, but she is expecting at least one retirement soon. The district is offering a $2,000 signing bonus and a $1,000 retention bonus.