Growing Shortage of Subsitute Teachers Puts a Strain on Educational System

Local principals have been stepping into the teaching role amid the shortages in substitute teachers that is putting a strain on the educational system. Johnsonville elementary was forced to close for the next two weeks due to lack of availability of qualified staff to sub for teachers. And more schools across the district have been teetering on the brink of closing their doors as more quarantine orders and positive COVID cases pop up by the minute. The substitute teaching shortage is not only felt in Lassen County but across the state. In response Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to allow schools the flexibility in their staffing choices such as adding hours to substitute teachers as well as rehiring recent retirees for short periods. The governor also is hoping to expedite the hiring process for additional relief. That executive order is set to expire at the end of March. For now Schools are doing what they can to keep students in classrooms, even if it means principals having to step into fill those gaps.