LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — It’s the saga that keeps on going. There are several moving parts and unanswered questions regarding what’s next for the fate of the Little Rock School District.
On Monday and Tuesday LRSD is hosting hiring events to get substitute teachers on board, in case teachers strike.
The hiring event took place on Monday, October 28 and will continue on Tuesday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The event has been held at the LRSD Technology Center at 7701 Scott Hamilton Road in rooms 102 and 103.
Between online and in-person applications, as of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 125 people had already applied.
Superintendent Michael Poore is calling this a “proactive event.”
“What you try to do is try to be prepared, just in case,” he said.
LRSD is preparing now for an uncertain future.
“So, we don’t know whether the teachers will strike or not,” Poore said.
With so much chatter, it’s hard to know whether teachers will walkout, but the Little Rock Education Association’s contract with the district expires this Thursday, Oct. 31.
Poore said LRSD is taking the chance to boost its substitute teacher roster as a precaution.
“We are trying to create an access point for people who may be interested in working in the Little Rock School District as a substitute to come in and really have a one-stop-shop,” he said.
Poore said the district is working with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education to get potential employee background checks done this week.
Poore also said the district doesn’t have a set goal of the number of substitutes it is looking to hire, but he believes the new pay rate of $180 a day will attract more people.
Erica Brown was one of the many who showed up to apply on Monday.
“I heard them announce they were going to hire subs and they were going to pay them twice the rate, I believe, so I was like ‘Oh I should apply there,’” she said.
Growing up in a family of teachers, Brown said she has been trying to tap into the education field for a while.
She said applying to be a substitute is her first step.
“Hopefully I’ll do well enough to open up doors to being licensed as a teacher,” Brown said.
She said applying for a district that is in the middle of scrutiny comes with discouraging feelings.
“It’s a little unnerving; however, that’s not going to stop me from doing this job. I’m up for the task,” Brown said.
Whether teachers walkout next week or not, Poore said he considers this hiring event practical for the future of LRSD.
“In the long run this is a positive thing, but obviously this is a setup to be proactive in case there is some sort of work stoppage,” he said.
THV11 reached out to the Little Rock Educators Association to get their take on the district hiring extra substitutes in case of a strike, but they denied to comment at this time.
MORE INFO:
Requirements:
- 18 years old
- High school diploma/college transcript or teaching license
- Cleared background checks (State, Federal and Child Maltreatment Central Registry)
To register for the event visit this website and click on District Orientation Meetings by state.
Make sure to have your email address and the email addresses of three references, and if possible, try to finish all video trainings in the application prior to this event.
Bring these items:
- Copy of official college transcripts or teaching license (preferred, but not required)
- I-9 verification (can include a passport or driver's license)
- Social security card or driver's license and birth certificate