SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS                                                                         D06

 

Policy

It is the policy of the Montpelier School District to hire the best qualified substitute teachers. Substitute educators must be high school graduates who meet at least the minimum qualifications outlined by the State Board of Education.

Implementation

An unlicensed person may be employed as a substitute teacher for up to fifteen consecutive days per educator absence. The Commissioner of Education may grant an additional fifteen-day extension if the superintendent demonstrates the unavailability of a licensed educator or other compelling reasons. The superintendent may apply for additional extensions, or, when appropriate, seek a waiver pursuant to Section 5350 of the State Board of Education rules.

Licensed substitute teachers who lack the appropriate endorsement for a specific position can fill it for more than thirty days per teacher absence only when the superintendent obtains an extension from the Commissioner of Education, after providing evidence of the unavailability of a licensed educator with appropriate endorsement or other compelling reasons. The superintendent may apply for additional extensions, or, when appropriate, seek a waiver pursuant to Section 5350 of the State Board of Education rules.

Administrative Responsibilities

The superintendent develops a list of qualified substitute teachers for all schools and sets up an annual orientation session for substitute teachers. Each teacher under contract compiles a packet containing pertinent information, as defined by the principal, for a substitute. When an unlicensed substitute is working, the search for a licensed educator should continue through any extension. Substitutes are paid per diem wages as determined by the superintendent from year to year. Distinctions in pay may be based on the need for a substitute teacher to prepare lessons and assess and record student progress, on the length of service, and on the credentials of the substitute teacher.

 

Date Warned:              November 7, 2003

Date Adopted:              November 19, 2003

Legal References:          VT State Board of Education Manual of Rules and Practices §§5350, 5510, 5520, 16 V.S.A. §558 (Employment of School Board Members)

Cross References:         Staffing, Criminal Record Checks, Employment

Procedures D06