District 86 Suffers Staffing Challenges

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale High School District 86 plans to start in-person classes Monday, with a quarter of the student body attending each day.

One of the biggest hurdles is staffing.

As of last week, 29 teachers are expected to be on child-care and medical leaves during in-person learning as a result of the pandemic. And the school is estimating about 10 teachers will be out each day because of coronavirus-like symptoms.

That means 39 "line of sight" substitutes could be needed each day, according to the district. Now, only 17 are signed up. Subs, who are paid $133 a day, are not required to work all the time and can turn down requests.

Now, with students attending remotely, "there have been very few actual leaves," the district's human resources director, Mary Dudek, told the school board last week.

"That will definitely change when we go to a hybrid model," Dudek said.

Principals have been meeting with every employee who has any issues with coming back in person, she said. This has helped the principals understand their employees' circumstances, but also have allowed them to get out the message that solutions are needed.

With the lack of subs, Dudek said, "There's a great amount of coverage that is needed. Applications are open, and we are recruiting."