Answers On Hiring Substitutes for SPS

There are not further details/information on the Hamilton substitute incident that occurred last week as the investigation is on-going.   SPS replied to these basic questions about substitute hiring.

1) Why did the reporter say the sub wasn't employed by the district? Is that right?

We did not tell the reporter that the substitute wasn’t a district employee. We did say that because he isn’t a permanent teacher, he couldn’t be placed on leave. Instead, we would not give him any more assignments until the investigation was completed.

2) Does the district do a background check on everyone who applies to be a substitute in SPS? If not, why not?

Yes

· General Certificated Application screened by Human Resources for clearance. Includes review of application. Required: Three reference letters, resume, cover letter, transcripts, teaching certificate verification.

· Once the application has been cleared, Human Resources will move the applicant forward with the Substitute hiring process by insuring that the applicant has also been fingerprinted. Applicant fingerprints are submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

· The OSPI fingerprint verification results are reviewed by the Human Resources staff for clearance and final approval.

· Once cleared they are eligible to enter into the Substitute pool.

3) How does Seattle Public Schools screen substitute teachers for aberrant and inappropriate behavior?

Once substitute teachers have been hired, if there are any complaints the administrator in the building completes an evaluation form. The evaluation form is referred to Human Resources for review and possible further actions.

4) What does it take to become a substitute in Seattle Public Schools?

Certificated Substitute Hiring Process:

1. Apply through the Seattle Public Schools/Careers Page (Neo Gov application site)

2. Complete General Certificated Application

3. Complete Substitute Certificated Application

4. General Certificated Application screened by Human Resources for clearance. Includes review of application. Required: Three reference letters, resume, cover letter, transcripts, teaching certificate verification.

5. Once the application has been cleared, Human Resources will move the applicant forward with the Substitute hiring process by insuring that the applicant has also been fingerprinted. Applicant fingerprints are submitted to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

6. The OSPI fingerprint verification results are reviewed by the Human Resources staff for clearance and final approval.

7. Once cleared they are eligible to enter into the Substitute pool.

8. All Substitutes are required to complete an orientation session that includes a review of various district policies, a review of the substitute handbook, and other employment related materials.

5) Why are adults permitted to use the students' restrooms? I believe Hamilton has a staff restroom. Is there no district policy that mandates adults use separate facilities instead? If not, why not?

There is no prohibition against adults using the students’ restrooms. While teachers often do use the staff restrooms, accessing a staff restroom may present a logistical challenge depending on the classroom location and the teaching assignment.

Comments

KG said…
An idea for subbing would be to sub out The Central Admin. monster
with people from labor ready, they could not do worse.
Anonymous said…
If they have the steps so nicely written down and looking so official I wonder what went wrong with the sub at HIMS last Wednesday? Or, will it turn out that actually nothing was wrong with him?
Curious
Well, someone could pass all these steps and still act badly. We still don't know.
Anonymous said…
Keep up the witch hunt. Really does it occur to you that children are not all angels and love bunnies.

How many allegations are levied all the time against Teachers, Subs, etc and they are rarely proven true. Such as the one at Center House. Oh wait that one was different?

What about the Custodian at Leschi which was caught on tape and false or the one at Lowell with the IA...

Keep up this witch hunt we can have a burning at the stake next.

Sister Prim
Anonymous said…
Sister Prim:
Since you listed only those investigations that had a positive ending for the teachers, you could be right about the "witch hunt".
But I think you could get a full picture only if you list those that had negative ending for the teachers. Like the one in HIMS for example last year, when a long term sub showed inappropriate behavior in his class and then later, after weeks, he was removed.
Or more recently the girls softball "coach" at Roosevelt.
Because adults are not angels and love bunnies either.
Two sides
Anonymous said…
Guess what, Sister Prim? Kids can also tell the truth, and grownups can behave badly.

This same substitute was in charge of my kid's class that day. Multiple students from that class, including my own, reported to their parents that he had behaved inappropriately and they were creeped out by him. This was before anyone even knew about the bathroom allegation.

The Leschi custodian was wrongly accused, yes, but at Lowell, three different staffers observed and voiced concerns about the IA's behavior. Concern -- not accusations.

another parent @HIMS
Level Head said…
It's not a witch hunt. My child also mentioned the weird stuff that guy said in her class, before this story was out. After the story came out, her response was, Well, I'm not surprised!! Kids are also very perceptive, and know when adults aren't behaving properly. Sister Prim, you sound like one of those people who is suspicious of all teens, no matter what. Take the time to listen, they have a lot of important stuff to say. Blowing them off and ignoring them is what leads to the bigger problems.
Anonymous said…
What was "said" exactly that upset the children?

- just curious

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday Open Thread

Why the Majority of the Board Needs to be Filled with New Faces

Who Is A. J. Crabill (and why should you care)?