By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Substitute teachers and workers are on short supply in St. John Parish schools these days, but parents can roll up their sleeves and join the team as paid employees, not just volunteers.

St. John Parish Schools personnel director Ann LaBorde said parents are needed to fill in as substitutes to ensure that all the school’s positions are filled with workers who care about the children’s success.

&#8220Reliable substitute teachers are an integral part of the educational team, and they can have a significant impact on the quality of education while the permanent teacher is away,” said LaBorde. &#8220Who better than a parent to fill that role? Someone we know has a vested interest in the success of our school system.”

LaBorde noted that as many as 50 substitutes are needed on a daily basis, including replacements for teachers, teacher’s aides, secretaries and food service workers.

Teachers are mandated to attend professional development workshops throughout the year in order to keep up with current requirements, strategies and research. Workshops for last semester were postponed due to Hurricane Katrina, forcing teachers to make the workshops up this semester, according to LaBorde. Substitute teachers are needed to replace the teachers attending the professional development activities.

Kelly Educational Services has been working with St. John Schools to help provide substitute workers.

Phyllis Mohrman, manager of Kelly Services, said substitute teachers earn between $48 and $58 per day, while teacher’s aides receive $36.05 per day. Substitute secretaries are paid $38 per day, and substitute food service workers earn $6 per hour, with janitors earning $5.15.

&#8220Substituting gives parents the opportunity to become part of their children’s educational experience, while making some money for their time,” Mohrman said.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED certificate for substitute teaching and food service workers, according to Mohrman.

Applicants must also pass drug testing and are subject to a criminal background check to be hired. Anyone interested in applying as a substitute teacher or teacher’s aide must also pass a Test of Adult Basic Education.

Mohrman said Kelly Service employees are paid weekly with the option for health insurance, bonus opportunities and a 401K plan.

&#8220For those people who would like to serve, but who might be fearful of signing up because they don’t want to commit to too much work, we understand their concerns and we are willing to work within their set boundaries,” Mohrman said. &#8220A person may be willing to commit to working two days a month in the school system. We will make a note of that and schedule work for that person for only that amount of time.”

LaBorde said interested parents should contact Kelly Services to complete the required checks and paperwork. The school system will also work with all approved applicants to find the most appropriate substitute position.

Interested applicants can call 1-888-878-2128 to schedule an appointment, or contact Ann LaBorde at 1-800-296-1106 for more information.