By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Schools Board of Education discussed the need for substitutes and amending the salary schedule to include people without college degrees.
“We’re hearing that teachers are having to cover multiple classes during the school,” Costanzo said. “The issue seems to be that we have a specific requirement that only substitutes with college degrees can substitute.”
Costanzo said many people explained that there are parent volunteers in the schools every day that do not have college degrees.
“We know them, we trust them, we understand their ability, we watch them have a relationship with students, some probably in most cases can deliver instruction,” Costanzo said. “Maybe we have to go back and look at how we train substitutes.”
Many teachers expressed to Costanzo that they wanted regular substitutes added back to the salary schedule so that they can provide coverage.
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Substitutes are required to fill out an online application and undergo a background check.
“Teachers typically have a preferred list of subs they choose that they are comfortable with and that their kids are comfortable with,” Costanzo said.
Costanzo said the main thing is they are not taking teachers out of classrooms to cover classes that couldn’t find substitutes.
“We’ve got to recruit; that’s part of what we do in a school system,” Costanzo said. “Every school system struggles with finding quality substitute teachers, but we have the right to make that determination.”
Alongside the need for substitute teachers, there is the need for substitute bus drivers. Costanzo said certified employees cannot be bus drivers.
“The problem is having substitute bus drivers and also having drivers available,” Costanzo said.
Costanzo said the solution is not just having a pool of drivers available but also allowing certified employees to get their CDL and bus driver licenses.
“This discussion is not to come in here and say, ‘let’s just open it up,’ we’re saying those who would like to, and then we need to have them available for an emergency,” Costanzo said.
Costanzo explained that substitute bus drivers are probably the greatest shortage TCS has, besides substitute teacher positions.
“It’s a critical shortage,” Costanzo said.
To apply as a substitute, visit https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FORM-SUB.pdf. The substitute form can also be found below.