Nearly all Ohio schools are returning to in-person or hybrid learning after pledging to do so to get vaccines for employees. At least one Central Ohio district has closed several of its buildings today because there were not enough substitute teachers to fill in for instructors experiencing symptoms from recent COVID-19 vaccines. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
The Olentangy Local School district had to close two of its high schools, one middle school and six elementary buildings due to a substitute teacher shortage. Many of the school district’s staff who received their second COVID vaccine over the weekend are suffering with side effects. Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro says this is part of a statewide problem.
“We’ve had a shortage of substitute teachers in Ohio since before COVID and I think the pandemic has made that situation more acute.”
Earlier this year, the Columbus City Schools raised substitute teacher pay after it faced a shortage.