SASD struggles to obtain long-term subs

Schools throughout Wisconsin are struggling to manage a shortage in substitute teachers as the demand for them increases. The Sparta Area School District (SASD) and other local school districts are no exception, some of which have begun offering incentives in the hopes to lure in more substitutes. 

While the supply of educational professionals has been declining as fewer younger people are choosing to go into education, the ongoing pandemic has made the situation worse. 

Longtime teachers began to take the opportunity to retire early while some teachers had to be at home with their own children last year during closures. The pandemic also affected the amount of time teachers spent at home with mandatory quarantines in place after a risk of exposure to COVID-19. 

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), there are more than 8,700 people with active short-term substitute licenses in Wisconsin. A lot of the people who become subs are retired teachers, stay-at-home parents, people who need flexibility, or people interested in the education field. 

To incentivize more applicants, the SASD is offering increased pay of $140 per day for all teachers and a $250 bonus after 15 assignments are completed. 

In addition, the district’s substitute positions include flexible schedules at all K-12 levels. Substitute teachers also have the chance to inspire students every day and make a difference in the community.

Current substitute opportunities in the SASD, which are available through its partner, Teachers On Call (TOC) include: 

• A long-term special education teacher substitute at Meadowview Middle School
• A long-term health teacher sub at Meadowview Middle School
• A long-term substitute teacher at Sparta Virtual Learning Academy
• Custodial substitutes at all district building locations
• Nutrition services subs at all district building locations
• Secretarial substitutes at all district building locations

TOC is dedicated to improving the educational staffing process by recruiting caring, motivated, trained educators to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

One of the main benefits of working with TOC is that individuals get to build their own schedules and can work as many days as they are able. For the district, it provides a larger pool of potential candidates. 

For teacher and educational assistant substitute applicants, requirements include a minimum of an associate’s degree and the ability to obtain a Wisconsin DPI Short-Term substitute license.