Educators Turned State Representatives Pass Legislation to Ensure Sufficient Staff in Schools

COLUMBUS – This week, House Bill 583 was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives, announced State Representative Adam Bird (R-New Richmond). Joint sponsors Bird and State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport), two former educators, aim to end Ohio’s substitute teacher shortage for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. 

“I’m very pleased to have received the House’s support on this legislation. Ohio’s students are one of my top priorities and I’ll continue to fight to ensure Ohio administers a top tier learning experience,” said Bird. 

Under the bill, the following action would be taken to address the substitute teacher shortage: 

• Until June 30, 2024, schools and school districts would be permitted to employ a substitute teacher according to its own education requirements.
• Until June 30, 2024, would require the State Board of Education to issue nonrenewable one year substitute educator licenses to qualified applicants, possibly including those without a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to more flexible licensure, a study committee would also be established to further rectify the substitute teacher shortage. 

“The manpower challenges for school districts continue to cause issues in providing uninterrupted teaching and instruction for students,” said Bird. “This current school year has seen K-12 students forced into remote learning because of a lack of substitute teachers. We’re starting to see the consequences of remote learning and a lack of staff shouldn’t be a reason we pose those challenges onto our students.”

Provisions of the bill were decided during a collaborative committee process. Input was taken from local superintendents, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, the Ohio School Boards Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the Ohio Education Association. 

H.B. 583 will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.