BVA may permit remote teaching due to lack of substitutes

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

The Belle Vernon Area School Board next week will consider a memorandum of understanding with the Belle Vernon Area Education Association that would allow teachers to work remotely if a substitute is not available.

District Superintendent Dr. Michele Dowell said the remote work agreement would only be used in the event that a long-term substitute could not be found to cover the vacancy and if the teacher who was off on leave agreed.

“They are helping us,” Dowell explained. “We would have to cover the class somehow.”

Dowell said it has been very difficult finding substitute teachers this year and thanked the board members and others who have been spreading the word in order to get more substitutes certified to help cover classrooms.

In response to a question from the public as to whether schools will remain open, Dowell said it’s a fluid situation that could change very quickly.

“There is a chart put out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Department of Health,” she said. “If you are on high impact, they recommend full remote learning.” 

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