Colorado faces shortage of substitute teachers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado educators are growing concerned about a lack of substitute teachers willing to work during the pandemic.

New guidelines from the Colorado State Health Department require teachers to be sent home for 14 days if any student in their class tests positive. That makes having substitute teachers on hand that much more imperative.

But the pool of subs is shrinking in Colorado.

The Colorado Education Association says they already had a massive shortage before the pandemic, but the situation has been exacerbated because a significant portion of Colorado’s substitute teacher pool consists of older, retired teachers who would be considered high-risk for COVID-19.

In El Paso County, education leaders at Widefield District 3 say they’re preparing for the shortage, too.

As of now, kids pre-k through fifth grade in District 3 will be returning to in-person learning on August 24th.

“There are some that are uncomfortable if they have pre-existing conditions," says Kirk Vsetecka, Director of Human Resources for Widefield District 3. "You basically took a shortage and added a pandemic to it....but the need hasn't changed."

Leaders at Widefield say having a smaller community has been their saving grace. Many of the substitute teachers stepping up to the plate have ties to their community.

District 3 is anticipating being hit as hard as larger districts.

Leaders at Widefield say that communication about on-site safety precautions has helped ease some concerns amongst staff, but their plans are completely based on guidance from the El Paso County Health Department.

If guidance from the health department changes, subs could end up teaching remotely, as well.