Laguna Beach Unified Seeks Certified Substitute Teachers

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — If you are a certificated substitute teacher in Laguna Beach, you're in luck.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District has increased the daily rate for certificated substitute teachers to $180 for short and long-term substitute positions.

In Laguna Beach, secondary schools have remained closed to in-person instruction, while elementary schools have been open since October. Online learning and hybrid learning have created their own set of unique issues when it comes to instruction.

There has been a shortage of substitute teachers across California since before the pandemic, according to Laguna Beach Unified School District Human Resources Director Mike Conlon.

Conlon says the elementary hybrid model has allowed LBUSD students to attend school for four full days per week. This has caused an increase in staffing, as each class is broken into two cohorts needing additional supervision.

"Unfortunately, we are seeing fewer substitutes wanting to work in schools to go along with the low numbers," Conlon wrote in an email to Patch. The school district is hoping to add as many qualified substitutes to the LBUSD as they can, according to Conlon.

"Many of our substitutes work in neighboring districts as well, and occasionally pick up work at LBUSD schools."

Regarding COVID-19, the district sees similar increases as have all school districts across the county, amid the surge in coronavirus cases.

As staff needs to quarantine due to close contact with a COVID positive person either occasionally at school or in the community, more substitute needs have increased, Conlon says.

Positions are reviewed on a rolling basis with immediate openings available. To apply, visit the LBUSD online information site.