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JORDAN, Utah (AP) -- To help fill a shortage of substitute teachers, the Jordan School District will allow applicants with a two-year college degree to fill in, instead of just those with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Since school began Aug. 23, Jordan hasn't had enough teachers for 55 days, leaving administrators, assistants and other instructors to cover classes.
Jordan has required that substitutes have at least a bachelor's degree for a job that pays $66 a day - $92 if you're a teacher who has retired from Utah schools. Now, substitutes with an associate's degree will be allowed, paid $62 a day.
The improving economy may explain the shortage, said Stephen Dimond of the district's human resources department. Although the district requires substitutes to have college degrees when most Utah districts require only high school diplomas, Dimond said the budget won't allow for pay increases for substitutes.
On average, the Jordan district needs 190 substitutes every day. One day this year, demand skyrocketed to 359.
Brent Shaw, principal at Copperview Elementary School in Midvale, has felt the pinch.
He had to teach a class of his sixth-graders for a half day, and had paraprofessional aides take over classes.
Because his school receives funds for at-risk youth, he has 18 aides who can be called upon before pulling in administrators or parent volunteers.
Jordan High School isn't so lucky. Garry True, assistant principal, has had to ask teachers on their prep periods to take over classes that aren't in their areas.
"If I'm a history teacher, I may not know how to find atomic mass or balance an equation . . . these teachers are saying 'This is not my area of expertise,' " True said.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
