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N.J. has a big shortage of substitute teachers. Could college students help?
NJ.com
September 15, 2020
New Jersey schools had a hard time finding substitute teachers before the pandemic, and the health crisis has only increased demand for qualified substitutes, said Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
Citing health concerns or childcare dilemmas, classroom teachers have sought leaves of absence or remote teaching allowances, local school officials say. Some districts experienced a wave of such requests since Gov. Phil Murphy announced in mid-August districts could switch to remote-only instruction if they can’t open safely, jeopardizing their ability to reopen.
Superintendents are still reporting new resignations, Bozza said, adding he expects the teacher shortage to persist, particularly with the prospect of a second wave this fall.
Like Ruiz, Bozza said he hopes long term the relaxed credit requirement exposes more college students to the teaching profession and ultimately diversifies the workforce.
In the meantime, he said, there is an emergent need for more substitutes.
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What Grade Does Murphy Get for NJ Schools’ Reopening?
NJ Spotlight
September 3, 2020
...the state’s superintendents association sent a letter of “great urgency” to the governor, saying schools are facing a shortage of staff willing to go back into the classroom. It asked if schools in this situation could go all-remote, an issue not addressed in the state’s latest guidance.
“In many school districts the ability to operate school safely is impaired as substitute personnel cannot be found to fill these positions or other staffing arrangements are not viable to meet health requirements,” read the letter from Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
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State mental health program for students faces ax under Gov. Murphy’s budget
News12
September 3, 2020
Bozza says that the cuts could have negative impact on the students who need the mental health services. “I think that if they’ll be left alone, they may not be willing to go to personnel that they’re not comfortable with outside the school setting,” he says. The state says that the service will be transferred to another program. The governor said that this is an “extraordinary challenging budget." -
Another Worry for School Districts as They Consider Fall Reopening...
NJ Spotlight
August 14, 2020
“The last thing we want to see is all the hard work they have done end up in litigation,” said Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
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Another Back-to-School Snag: NJ Has Bus Driver Shortage
NJ 101.5
August 11, 2020
For years there’s been a shortage of school bus drivers in part because a commercial driver’s license is required and other driving jobs that require a CDL pay more. But this year with the COVID-19 pandemic, the problem is even worse, according to Richard Bozza, the executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
