JEFFERSON TWP — While administrators are trying to mitigate the shortage of substitute teachers in the South Butler School District, a parent said she is considering leaving the district because her children's education is being affected by the issue.

Jill McMeekin told the school board on Wednesday night that her family intentionally bought property and built a home so her two young children could attend school in the district.

But the effect on her students' education caused by teacher absences and the ongoing difficulty getting substitute teachers is souring her on the district, she said.

McMeekin said her children come home with extremely heavy backpacks because they cannot return their books to the teacher when he or she is absent.

She said when teachers are absent and no sub is available, students in that class are divided up and sent to other classrooms, where they are told to sit on the floor in the back of the room and read quietly to themselves.

She said while students who regularly attend the classroom learn new material, the others become disengaged and some are beginning to show disruptive behavior.

McMeekin said one absence with no sub can affect 120 students.

“What our children need are educators, not babysitters or a warm body,” she told the school board.

McMeekin said she is a professional headhunter, and she counseled the board that their substitute teacher rates must be competitive to attract and retain subs.

The district this year increased its daily substitute teacher rate from $80 to $90, but Butler pays $100 and Seneca Valley pays from $90 to $125.

Superintendent David Foley agreed with McMeekin on her educational concerns.

“You are absolutely correct,” Foley said. “It's unacceptable for our children to be in this school district and not receiving an education.”

He said in addition to the board inviting their substitute teacher provider, Kelly Education Staffing, to the board meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the issue, other ideas are being considered.

Those ideas include inviting retired teachers to serve as substitutes, using federally-funded Title 1 teachers to fill teacher absences, and even using administrators to teach students when necessary.

Foley said community members who hold a bachelor's degree can get training from Kelly Education Staffing or the Intermediate Unit to become substitute teachers for the district.

Information will be sent home with students in the near future regarding that opportunity for parents, he said.

Foley said he does not accept students sitting in the back of the room and not being addressed.

He acknowledged McMeekin's claim that a motion several months ago by board member George Zacherl to provide pay incentives to attract subs did not receive a second.

“We will revisit that issue,” Foley said.

He said rural districts have a little more difficulty finding substitute teachers, but that administrators are addressing the issue fervently.

“I'm not making excuses for the education going on in class. I hear you,” Foley told McMeekin. “As a parent, I understand and respect that.”