Substitute crisis to be addressed

With the Escambia County (Ala.) School System getting closer to a crisis situation of finding qualified substitute teachers, Superintendent Michelle McClung asked the school board to consider entering a contract with Kelly Educational Services to handle placing substitutes in schools.

McClung said contracting with Kelly it would cost the county more, but substitute teachers would also be paid more. She asked the board for permission to negotiate prices with Kelly before a final decision was made, which was granted by the board.

McClung told the board the system is not at a crisis point at this time but noted Escambia County Middle School and Escambia County High School are having problems finding substitutes.

Currently teachers are responsible for finding substitutes if they will not be in class. It was stated at the meeting that there are times now that teachers have to double up and cover two classes because they can't get substitutes.

McClung said she knew of several school systems that use Kelly Educational Services and have been very pleased. People who want to be substitutes would register with Kelly. Teachers would call Kelly and Kelly would in turn call the substitutes. Substitutes would also have to go through training.

McClung also said there have been problems of substitutes not showing up when they said they would.

“It's not an emergency situation yet,” McClung said. “I know it will cost more, but I want Plan B before we get into an emergency situation.”

When asked, McClung said teachers will still be able to request the substitutes they want in their classroom.

McClung said she would like to negotiate prices with Kelly before any final decision is made.

“If we have teachers doubling up, why would we wait,” said Board Member Sherry Digmon. “Do it now.”

The board agreed to have McClung negotiate rates with Kelly and report back at the next meeting.

Power School

The board did approve a recommendation from McClung for the system to enroll the Power School Performance Matters program that provides a one-stop data warehouse of information for teachers.

She said the program helps mitigate learning loss and provide ACT preparedness.

She noted that test scores have dropped across the county and the program is designed to give teachers ready access to information need to help improve those scores.

“In my 31 years, it's the best system I've seen,” she said.

She also said the system shows which teachers need more professional development.

McClung said it was a three-year contract and the board approved the program.