School districts across Kansas are struggling to have enough teachers and substitutes on hand as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches new caseload highs, and USD 253 Emporia is no exception.
Because of statewide issues, the Kansas State Board of Education approved an emergency declaration for so-called Temporary Emergency Authorized Licenses. Part of the emergency adjustment involves having 18-year-olds eligible to be in the classroom, so long as they have a high school diploma, a verified employment commitment from a district or school system, a background check and a completed application to the Kansas State Department of Education. There have been some concerns about having 18-year-olds in the classroom, according to USD 253 Board President Art Gutierrez on KVOE’s Morning Show recently.
Superintendent Allison Anderson-Harder says new subs, regardless of age, are getting help with the onboarding process. She also says subs fresh out of high school likely won’t be leading their respective classes, especially if they are assigned to Emporia Middle School or Emporia High.
Interim Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Brad Kempf says there are about 80 subs in the district pool. He says the changes from the state came as the district was working through a spike in cases affecting staff.
In many cases, subs have been retired staffers, but they have been reluctant — understandably — to return to class with COVID at all-time highs in Lyon County.
The latest COVID stats from USD 253 indicate a spike in cases affecting staff, with 56 employee positives last week after 32 the week of Jan. 7. For the academic year, USD 253 has had 191 staff positives and 552 student positives. Staff positives had been in single digits for the academic year until 22 positives were reported over winter break.
USD 253 will have a no-school day districtwide Wednesday leading into parent-teacher conferences, which will be done remotely — meaning a five-day period with no classes when you include the upcoming weekend. Teachers and staff will have a combination professional development-workday on Wednesday. No other school districts areawide have announced no-school days for the upcoming week.
Temporary emergency licenses will expire June 1. Potential substitute teachers will then need to meet more stringent requirements if they want a license.
