Central Bucks School District, in dire need of substitutes, is now turning to its community for classroom coverage. Emily Rizzo of WHYY went through the ABCs of how this unusual hiring stance became necessary.

This third-largest Pa. district (17,000+ students) found itself caught off guard owing to staff absences and thinning of substitute ranks. COVID-19 and its Omicron variant are targeted as likely causes for the scarcity.

Although the official word is that anyone with a bachelor’s degree is welcome, candidates must undergo an interview process, presumably with background screening.

Following the application process, authorized candidates will be trained in classroom management and professionalism. Once hired, they’ll start at $225 a day, a recruiting carrot on the stick that’s above the normal rate.

Substitutes are already coming from within existing school employees. Staff members such as art teachers, math coaches, building administrators, and school psychologists are now, as able, sitting behind desks and reviewing homework.

The district is also shuffling staff among several schools, adopting a chessboard strategy to move traditional resources where they are needed most.

More information on this unusual call to action for substitute teachers is at WHYY.