Unit 5 is in need of more substitute teachers. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Unit 5, along with much of the area, is suffering from a shortage of substitute teachers.

One effort to alleviate the problem is a substitute teacher fair which will take place Friday.

"What we're trying to do is to hire more people who have their substitute certificates to get more people in the door here," said Unit 5 district attorney Curt Richardson. "We're looking at all kinds of different ways of doing that; advertising more, having more of these substitute job fairs."

Why is there a shortage? Richardson explained one theory he had.

"Fees have gone up through the state. There's now a fee through the regional office of education. It's become a little bit more complicated," said Richardson. "We think that's what's somewhat driving down the numbers and the substitutes that we have."

Unit 5 is also looking at different sets of data to determine what other factors are contributing to the shortage.

"Are there particular days of the week where we're having problems? Friday's are usually one of those days," said Richardson. "Are there particular schools or locations that we're having problems with? It's hard to get someone to drive out to want to drive out to Evans Jr. High School or Benjamin Elementary School."

Richardson added less subs means more stress on teachers.

"Principals may pull them out of what they need to be doing to try to cover classrooms. You may have to have teachers cover multiple classrooms until you can get a substitute teacher called," he said.

The substitute teacher fair will be at the district office, 1809 W. Hovey in Normal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].