for a number of years. It's pretty much an "exclusive," although when they
can't fill a spot we can freelance a bit. Having a reliable group of subs
available allows people to actually and guiltlessly stay home when sick,
stay the extra day or week to deal with the death of a family member, and
(on a more positive note) be out of the building for professional
development; whole departments can take a half or whole day retreat, even.
However, in answer to the questions: People who approach us are referred
to Kelly. We have specified to Kelly the need for a bachelor's as a
minimum, with preference for subject matter training, especially in
languages, math, and library (not always do-able, but sometimes). Kelly
vets the applicants, checks references, does their own criminal background
check, and even does some minimal training. The assignment system is on
line, and we manage from the department head level.
With regard to criminal background checks in general, I am giving the NAIS
party line when I say that anyone working with kids at a school really
must have a criminal background check, preferably one that exceeds
statutory requirements. In our state (and I bet in Vermont) this is a
legal obligation, and in fact we have to perform a specific check on every
Kelly sub before s/he can work here. The Kelly folks thus have a specific
(no doubt duplicate) check for every school system they work in; that's
the law hereabouts.
I sound like an ad for Kelly, but in reality I am making a pitch for any
school to develop a reliable corps of substitutes--trained, checked, and
available--to enable teachers to live their lives as susceptible
organisms, as family members, and as learning professionals.
It would seem to me that an application process of some sort would be
necessary for any school that was having to develop its own sub pool.
Better yet, find out how the local public schools manage this and try to
get in on the action there; consortia of independent schools in an area
could do the same--maybe there's even someone in the community who would
accept a small stipend in return for being the early morning clearinghouse
for sub assignments.
But the background checks just have to happen, IMHO.
Hope this helps--Peter Gow
Peter Gow, Director of College Counseling and Special Programs
Beaver Country Day School
791 Hammond Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
www.bcdschool.org
Tel. 617-738-2755
FAX 617-738-2701
Skype: petergow3
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