West Carrollton City Schools Human Resources Director Devon Berry said he attributes the decline to a better economy.
“In order to keep the substitute teachers we have, as well as add to our current list, we must offer a competitive wage,” Berry said.
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Officials in the district – which includes parts of Miami Twp. and Moraine - said the shortage of qualified substitute teachers has affected school districts across the country.
Locally, Dayton and Fairborn are among the districts which have had similar problems with substitute teachers.
Last year, a contractor that runs the Dayton Public Schools’ substitute teacher and aide program was unable to fill a large chunk of that district’s vacancies over a three-month period.
The contractor filled an average of 106 of those DPS spots a day, which would leave, on average, 29 educators’ spots uncovered daily during that time frame.
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A compensation increase for substitute teachers was adopted in Fairborn, which in 2019 started paying $150 per day for retired teachers who substitute teach for the district.
The shortage dates back decades, according to the National Education Association. Nearly 20 years ago, the NEA outlined a number of strategies – including giving substitutes bonus money - used by Ohio school districts to combat the problem.
West Carrollton has watched the numbers decline and currently has a list of 64 substitute teachers, 29 who also sub in multiple area districts, officials said.
Many of the available substitute teachers that were on the list two or three years ago have moved on to permanent teaching or career positions in the scope of their degree, West Carrollton officials said.
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“In order to keep the substitute teachers we have, as well as add to our current list, we must offer a competitive wage,” said Berry.
The new rate was determined after a comparison study of surrounding school districts.
“We can now offer a daily rate that is competitive with other districts and that can attract qualified individuals to substitute in West Carrollton,” Berry said.
Anyone interested in becoming a substitute teacher in West Carrollton may contact Lisa Green at lgreen@wcsd.k12.oh.us or 937-859-5121, ext. 1119.
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