Covid-19 creates substitute teacher shortage

DENVER (AP) -- School districts across Colorado are facing a substitute teacher shortage caused, in part, by fears of the coronavirus.

The Colorado Sun reports only about half of the teachers active in the substitute pool in Denver's public schools said they were willing to take in-person assignments this fall.

Districts are scrambling to figure out how to cover teacher absences. In one district, parents are raising their hands to sub. Other districts are offering a financial incentive to staff who fill in when needed. And in some districts, administrators who still hold a teaching license are adding the role of substitute to their many responsibilities.