Substitute requirements loosened in Toronto
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TORONTO -- In response to a shortage of substitute teachers and service personnel spurred partly by the pandemic, the Toronto Board of Education agreed Thursday to loosen requirements for applicants and raise pay for the positions.
Future applicants for substitute teaching positions this year won't be required to hold teaching degrees and may have associate or higher degrees in other fields or pass an exam required of the school district's instructional aides.
The board also agreed to raise the daily pay rate for all substitute teachers from $80 to $110 and pay for substitute service personnel, such as cafeteria staff and bus drivers, from minimum wage to the established starting wage for those hired long-term for the given position.
Superintendent Maureen Taggart said the new qualifications for substitute teachers will be for this year only and is in keeping with temporary provisions permitted through Ohio House Bill 409, which was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on Dec. 8.
Taggart said the law was in response to a shortage of substitute staff in many school districts spurred by the pandemic. She said substitutes have been needed
to cover for staff who were ill or ordered to quarantine.
But she added it also has lost substitutes who opted to avoid potential exposure to COVID-19 in the schools because of age, at risk health conditions or other reasons.
Taggart said there had been a shortage prior to the pandemic and she hopes the higher pay will help Toronto schools to compete with neighboring school districts.
She said all substitutes will be placed on a call-out list and used according to their availability.
"For long-term substitute placements, we will always make sure we use someone who's properly licensed," Taggart said.
In related business, the superintendent said the school district may receive about $900,000 through federal C.A.R.E.S. Act funds reserved for elementary and secondary schools.
Taggart said the purchase of air purifiers for the schools' heating, ventilation and air conditioning system would support ongoing efforts by personnel to maintain germ-free facilities. A new floor scrubber also was suggested.
The board also agreed to accept bids for the installation of a new artificial turf football field and creation of a new athletic track, both for the high school.
Plans were made to open the bids at a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. March 9 in the high school's library. Bids for a new visitors' bleacher section and concession stand will be advertised at a later date.
Board members chose from two designs for the field prepared by JTSA Sports of Burgettstown, Pa. The chosen design features a large red T at the center of the field, with the names "Toronto" and "Red Knights" lettered on each endzone.
In keeping with the school's colors, the field also will include white numbers with red highlights for each yard line, while the yard sections will be delineated with contrasting shades of green.
Board member Andy Reeves noted plans call for two permanent canopied sections to be built near the field: one for the school's marching band and another that may be used for homecoming games, parents' nights and other special occasions for which the school normally puts up a tent.
The athletic track surrounding the current field will be replaced with a separate one behind the visitors' section.
The project is being supported by the five-year levy approved by voters last year.
Taggart said the board will consider bids for the project at its next regular meeting at 5 p.m. March 18 and she hopes crews can begin work soon after to ensure the field is ready for the football season.
She said other locations are being considered for the track team in the event its new field isn't completed for that season.
The board also approved the calendar for the 2021-22 school year.
Taggart said the calendar is almost identical to this year's. The first day of school for pre-school and kindergarten will be Aug. 20, while the first day for all other students will be Aug. 18.
The board also approved an agreement with Eastern Gateway Community College enabling Toronto High School students to enroll in college level courses through EGCC's Career Tech and College Plus programs.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)