Staff Writer

In an effort to allay a long-standing shortage, local BOCES officials have organized a substitute teacher recruitment and training day.

"Everything You Wanted to Know About Substitute Teachers, But Were Afraid to Ask," scheduled for 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2, will address a variety of topics, said Marki Clair, director of instructional support services for Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES.

"Our hope is really to hit heavily on the recruitment aspect," Clair said. "We really want to increase the pool of substitutes available to districts."

Local district officials say they are feeling the pinch of the shortages.

"There just aren't a lot of people who are willing to substitute," said Maria Rice, superintendent of Delhi Central School. "We've been feeling the effects for the past couple of years."

And the effect on districts can be frustrating, said Douglas Exley, superintendent of Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School.

"When the principal is realizing first thing in the morning they are short one or two substitutes, they are redoing their entire schedule," he said, noting that sometimes a principal will step in to cover the classes. "Every one just kind of digs in."

Clair said teachers and administrators will talk at the workshop about the benefits of being a substitute.

Some districts offer full-time substitute jobs, and others have raised pay to recruit more. Most districts pay an average of $60 per day for substitutes, she said.

Educators will also give mandatory training to potential substitutes, take applications to work in various school districts and review requirements.

"If you have ever been a substitute or are thinking of becoming one this is the day for you." Clair said.

Speakers from the Catskill Regional Teacher Center will offer hints for success, she said.

"We feel like if we at least bring people together and give them some tips, even if they don't have experience, they'll at least have a bag of tricks to pull from," Clair said.

Exley said the training could benefit current substitutes in many districts.

"That's an area we probably don't do as well in," he said.

Clair said although the official registration date for the free workshop is Friday, candidates can register until Wednesday at about 2 p.m..

The event is scheduled to happen simultaneously at the Sidney Civic Center and at the BOCES Support Services Center in Norwich.

Lunch will be provided, she said.

About 40 people had registered for the workshop by Tuesday, Claire said.

"I think, for the most part, they're people thinking about being substitutes," she said. "It's very exciting."