D186 still trying to close number of teacher openings; school less than two weeks away
Superintendent Jennifer Gill said District 186 still had 15 full-time teaching positions open, though its website shows more than double that amount.
That's because the district has filled the positions with substitute teachers and retired educators but has continued to post the openings with the hope that some others would trickle in before most schools begin Aug. 21, she said.
While retired teachers help to close the gap on numbers, Gill admitted "it's a short-term fix for a long-term problem."
"We're just kind of at a unique time. It's across the entire state, across the entire nation, really, these teacher shortages," Gill added. "But we're starting to see the resurgence of people student teaching and going into education. We have 20 student teachers coming in (the first semester). We expect another 40 in the second semester, if not more.
"We just hope the programs and the things we put in place to grow our educators start to pay off in the coming years and fill those positions."
Springfield Education Association president Aaron Graves countered that the district's pattern of addressing the problem the last several years is at issue.
"Once we decide to allow retention losses to take root, collapse classrooms, overload others to cover for vacant spots and settle with subs or retired teachers, another year goes by," he said after the meeting. "We have settled for this 'solution' for eight to nine years, long before COVID, and it's time for a new plan."
Graves said routinely hiring retired teachers "isn't fiscally responsible."
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"A retiree is potentially paid at nearly two times the rate as a new teacher due to their seniority and advanced educational degrees," he added. "There was a reason these professionals chose to retire, and we should not balance our future academic hopes and dreams on those who deserve to enjoy their golden years with their own grandkids."
Filling positions with substitute teachers, Graves said, also was "unsatisfactory."
"With absolute reverence for anyone willing to work in a temporary advisory role with students, our children need certified and vetted educational professionals to help them navigate and achieve academic proficiency," he said. "We need the highest caliber of educators, other certified staff and educational support professionals to help students regain ground, hold the line on academic standards and prepare students for real life upon graduation."
Graves said if the district wants to solve recurring staffing problems, "we must first be honest about why people leave (the district). It's not an insurmountable problem, but we have to be honest about our warts."
The district also has 55 paraprofessional openings. Those workers include special education attendants, clerical staff, custodians, food service workers, warehouse drivers, utility workers, non-certified nurses, study hall and in-house supervisors and front desk supervisors, among others.
The district was hosting a job fair at the district office, 1900 W. Monroe St., Tuesday.
New principals around the district
The district has four new principals for the 2023-24 school year.
Two of the former principals are now assistant principals at the high school level. Robb Schurman goes from Grant Middle School to Springfield High School, where he was in a former role. Dan Ford, who was at Dubois Elementary, goes to Southeast High School.
Taking over at Grant is Joby Crum, who was a math instructor at SHS and head boys basketball coach for the Senators.
At Ball Charter, Hewitt Gage, the former assistant principal at Lincoln Magnet School, replaces Tiffany Williams, who has moved on to become the athletic director at Southeast.
Nathan Kochanowski, the 2021 Horace Mann Administrator of the Year, moves from principal at Lee School to principal at Dubois Elementary.
Jeremy Goss, a principal assistant at Butler Elementary, takes over at Lee.
Back to school physicals, immunizations
With most district schools heading back to class Aug. 21, physicals and immunizations for students are due.
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health, 2833 S. Grand Ave. East, has walk-in clinics for physicals from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday and on Saturday. There is an appointment-only clinic from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 9.
Parents and guardians can upload completed physical and immunization information at the online registration setup on the district's website at www.sps186.org. It also has information about what physicals and immunizations are needed.
Boys & Girls Clubs looking for school supply donations
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois are looking for donations of school supplies to fill 300 backpacks in an effort to ensure its members are ready to go back to school.
Items needed include spiral notebooks, scissors, glue bottles, glue sticks, 48 count crayons, pencils, highlighters, colored pencils, watercolor paint, black and blue pens and clear pencil cases.
Donations can be dropped off at the BGCCIL administrative office, 430 W. Jefferson St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Aug. 14.
BGCCIL is partnering with a variety of local organizations and individuals to host “Back to the Club," a member event geared to ensuring all club families are fully prepared for the upcoming school year.
The free event will be held at the BGCCIL central unit location, 300 S.15th St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 16.
Partners include Molina Healthcare, Central Illinois Food Bank, Familia Dental, The Barbershop, Gift of Hope, i3 Broadband, EJ23/Marquita Johnson, The Springfield Project, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and BlueCross BlueShield Illinois.
Club members will have access to school physicals, dental exams, haircuts and healthy heart information. Additionally, attendees will receive food boxes and backpacks with school supplies.
All-day kindergarten
Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 2396 last week, requiring school districts to develop kindergarten programs that ensure all-day attendance.
Districts would have to comply by the 2027-28 school year.
Nikki Irlam, a spokeswoman for District 186, says the district offers full-day kindergarten at all elementary schools and has for many years.
All-day kindergarten not only boosts students’ academic achievement, according to the National Education Association, "it also strengthens their social and emotional skills."
Back to School Bash
The Max-Out Foundation is holding a Back to School Bash at Comer Cox Park from 4-8 p.m. on Aug. 15.
There will be free backpacks and school supplies, kids' activities, a DJ and other live entertainment, food, fitness in the park and free haircuts and hairstyles (with a reservation).
To donate or partner with the foundation or for more information, email support@maxoutfoundation.com or call 773-236-0088.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield school district still short teachers paraprofessionals
