1. Huntsville City Schools Changes in Substitute Teacher Hiring Process
Chief of Staff and Compliance
Johnny Giles
March 7, 2013

2. Current Roster of Substitutes
Current Substitute Roster 1090 Worked within the past 12 months 690* Not actively working 400** Recommended by Principals 540 * In many cases only one day worked ** Significant administrative burden for no gain to the school system

3. Current HCS Substitute Requirements
High school diploma (or GED) only required
File Substitute Teacher Application with $30 application fee
Completion of Alabama Substitute Teacher License form
Superintendent/Administrator recommendation on Form SUB
Official transcript/diploma validating HS graduation or equivalent
Criminal history background check
No Completion of Substitute Teaching Training (currently too many in the system to manage)
License is valid for five scholastic years, renewable and portable among Alabama public and private schools

4. Additional Concerns Currently no quality screening for substitutes
Difficulty for teachers to determine which subs are available/qualified
Concern of parents that substitutes are qualified
Logistics of training 1,000+ substitutes (no return on investment for 40% of them)
Ability of substitutes to be employed regularly
Need to streamline application/vetting process

5. Proposed Revision of Substitute Qualifications/Selection Process
Limited number of positions will be competitively sourced
Two years of college
Exception – Principal recommendation (allows for individuals with established records of performance to substitute)
Commit to substitute a minimum of three days per semester
Applications accepted April-May for the upcoming academic year
All positions will expire on or before the end of the school year
Substitutes must submit written request to HCS Human Resources Department by the date designated on renewal form to remain active for the following academic year
Remaining positions up to district numbers required will be competed by HR, approved by the deputy superintendent
Final list will be Board approved in June (complies with Alabama statute)
Out-of-cycle applications will only be accepted on an as needed basis with principals’ or DOIs’ recommendation and will be subject to the same requirements