MIAMI VALLEY — Miami Valley Schools are dealing with a shortage of substitute teachers — and it’s going to take parents to step in, one substitute teacher said.
Montgomery County Educational Service Center Superintendent Shannon Cox told News Center 7′s Molly Koweek that they need substitute teachers now more than ever.
Cox said that they are having to make decisions about shutting down or going remote due to staff shortages. An issue she has never had to deal with before.
This issue isn’t unique to the district or even the state. Cox said she sits on national and state committees and it’s a topic that recently has continued to come up.
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Michael Humphrey had his first day as a kindergarten substitute teacher in the Huber Heights City School District, he said it was fun and interesting.
He’s self-employed and wanted to help.
Humphrey said there are a lot of parents who could step in with their extra time — and that may just be what it takes he said.
Districts are doing what they can to incentivize others to help.
Centerville City Schools decided to raise pay to $120 a day starting at the end of the month, among other incentives.
Centerville follows Springboro which made a similar move last week increasing pay to $125 a day. Last month, Kettering started paying the same.
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Several other schools such as Beavercreek and Troy City Schools have started offering more money as well.
The state made changes last year easing substitute eligibility requirements. People still need a high school diploma but no longer need a bachelor’s degree.
All substitute teachers must still pass a background check.
Cox said when substitute teachers like Humphrey step in, it takes the pressure off of teachers who get stuck covering other classes during their prep period.