I wanted to chime in on some of the issues raised in this thread. First, there was a question raised about teaching positions that are not filled but are budgeted. That is not true. We have a staffing plan for each school that is based on the number of students in the school, with additional positions for remediation and other special needs when requested by the principal. We budget for the positions in the staffing plan for each school. If, after we adopt the budget, the school needs an additional teacher, i.e., because of larger enrollment, special needs, etc., we fund that additonal teacher out of the the general operating "fund balance." By special needs, I am talking about an increase in students at a school with learning disabilities or other problems that would require an ESE teacher.
Second, we have attacked the "out of field" teacher problem. I have to credit a former board member, Donnie Richardson, with noting that problem and attacking it. The principals are told that if there is an in-field applicant for a position, they go to the top of the list. If we get recommendation for an "out of field" teacher for an open position, we will question the Superintendent to find out why. Usually there are two answers. The first is that no one that is certified in that field applied. The second is more common. Many times, in high schools, there will be a need for one class period of a particular subject. The principal will not have room in his staffing plan for another full time teacher, and will select a teacher with less than a full load to teach the subject. That is unfortunate, but, it happens in small schools more than we would wish.
Third, Robert is correct, we should not have "long term substitutes" teaching without certification. The problem is that many times a teacher, usually with tenure and after school starts, will go on leave (maternity, health) and we cannot find a teacher to fill their positoin that is certified in that field. I am sure you can imagine how hard it would be to find the right teacher after school begins.
I know it happened this year at South Walton High when an upper level English Teacher had to take long term leave for health reasons. The principal hired an uncertified substitute until he could find a certified replacement. The solution there, and everywhere, is for the board to create a "temporary position" so the "certified substitute" can receive the regular teacher pay and then when the tenured teacher returns, dissolve the temporary position. I believe the board will do that under limited circumstances.
Fourth, "certified" does not always mean "qualified." My father (a long time teacher and principal) have this discussion often. Many times a teacher is hired out of field and given a number of years to get certified in the area they are teaching. For instance, I have a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Juris Doctorate degree. Yet, I am not "certified" to teach English, Civics or Business Law in our schools. I may be qualified, but, I am not "certified." Interestly, I have taught government, business law and other criminal justice classes at NWF State College, F/K/A, OWC, F/K/A OWCC, F/K/A OWJC
bang But, I am not considered certifed for those types of classes in high school. Often, principals have to make the decision to hire someone who might be qualified, but not certified understanding that they will receive the certification soon. The debate my father and I have is whether that "qualified person" should be hired when there is a "certified person" available. He says a principal should be given that discretion. I am coming around to his position, but, that is a difficult argument.
Fifth, I agree with Robert. We need certified and qualified teachers in every classroom. Sometimes it is simply not possible. We are receiving more applications for every position now than we ever have in the past. But, the "uncertified" problem usually occurs as noted above.
Lastly, money is going to get real tight in the next two years. (Should I take a swipe at my Republican friends here for the state of the economy and Florida's absurd tax policies?) If Robert is elected, we will have difficult decisions to make. Thanks guys for getting through this long post.
Second, we have attacked the "out of field" teacher problem. I have to credit a former board member, Donnie Richardson, with noting that problem and attacking it. The principals are told that if there is an in-field applicant for a position, they go to the top of the list. If we get recommendation for an "out of field" teacher for an open position, we will question the Superintendent to find out why. Usually there are two answers. The first is that no one that is certified in that field applied. The second is more common. Many times, in high schools, there will be a need for one class period of a particular subject. The principal will not have room in his staffing plan for another full time teacher, and will select a teacher with less than a full load to teach the subject. That is unfortunate, but, it happens in small schools more than we would wish.
Third, Robert is correct, we should not have "long term substitutes" teaching without certification. The problem is that many times a teacher, usually with tenure and after school starts, will go on leave (maternity, health) and we cannot find a teacher to fill their positoin that is certified in that field. I am sure you can imagine how hard it would be to find the right teacher after school begins.
I know it happened this year at South Walton High when an upper level English Teacher had to take long term leave for health reasons. The principal hired an uncertified substitute until he could find a certified replacement. The solution there, and everywhere, is for the board to create a "temporary position" so the "certified substitute" can receive the regular teacher pay and then when the tenured teacher returns, dissolve the temporary position. I believe the board will do that under limited circumstances.
Fourth, "certified" does not always mean "qualified." My father (a long time teacher and principal) have this discussion often. Many times a teacher is hired out of field and given a number of years to get certified in the area they are teaching. For instance, I have a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Juris Doctorate degree. Yet, I am not "certified" to teach English, Civics or Business Law in our schools. I may be qualified, but, I am not "certified." Interestly, I have taught government, business law and other criminal justice classes at NWF State College, F/K/A, OWC, F/K/A OWCC, F/K/A OWJC
bang But, I am not considered certifed for those types of classes in high school. Often, principals have to make the decision to hire someone who might be qualified, but not certified understanding that they will receive the certification soon. The debate my father and I have is whether that "qualified person" should be hired when there is a "certified person" available. He says a principal should be given that discretion. I am coming around to his position, but, that is a difficult argument. Fifth, I agree with Robert. We need certified and qualified teachers in every classroom. Sometimes it is simply not possible. We are receiving more applications for every position now than we ever have in the past. But, the "uncertified" problem usually occurs as noted above.
Lastly, money is going to get real tight in the next two years. (Should I take a swipe at my Republican friends here for the state of the economy and Florida's absurd tax policies?) If Robert is elected, we will have difficult decisions to make. Thanks guys for getting through this long post.
...FTLOG! I was a certified Elementary School Teacher and the thought of me teaching a class in Algebra is frightening for both me and the poor students! Rethink this!!!! 