Lack of subs leaves New Kensington-Arnold science class without teacher
New Kensington-Arnold School District will wrap up its first nine-week grading period Wednesday, and an eighth-grade science class in the district hasn’t had a teacher yet.
Jessica Revilla said that has driven her daughter to tears. Instead of learning about science, she said her daughter has had a study hall or free period because the regular teacher is on maternity leave and the district hasn’t been able to find a substitute.
“My daughter is a child who actually likes science,” Revilla said.
The school board voted Monday to bring on a substitute who is certified in general science and chemistry who could teach Revilla’s daughter’s science class, but Superintendent John Pallone said the district is in dire need of substitute teachers.
In addition to needing two or three long-term subs, Pallone said the district needs 20 to 25 substitute teachers every day. He said about 20 teachers are usually absent daily, and the district is able to get subs for only six or seven of them.
“We need subs,” Pallone said. “We’re trying every avenue we can.”
New Kensington-Arnold pays subs $100 per day for the first 30 days, then $125 per day after the first 30.
That’s more than the $90 to $105 a day most local districts typically pay.
If more money is needed to attract subs, Revilla said the district should do more to find it.
“I don’t think the superintendent is doing enough. I think he doesn’t want to put the money into it,” she said.
“He’s willing to put money into other areas,” she said, referring to spending on new surfaces for the high school track and football field and monitors in the weight room.
“I get it, there’s a shortage,” she said. “Why aren’t you offering more money? This should have been resolved.”
Pallone said the district is aggressively working to get more substitute teachers.
While subs are needed in all disciplines, Pallone said it’s hardest to find them for science and math.
Pallone said part of the problem is that unemployment is low and jobs in the private sector pay more.
“We don’t have any money to throw at it,” he said. “We’re doing everything we possibly can.”
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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