HERMANN — The labor shortage has reached into the ranks of Gasconade County R-1’s roster of substitute teachers.

The R-1 District’s Board of Directors last week authorized the administration to look into the use of contracted agency teachers to deal with the shortage of substitute teachers.

“What we’re currently doing with our sub pool is not working,” said Superintendent Geoff Neill at last Thursday night’s regular monthly session of the R-1 board. Administration officials explained that there have been days this school year when the faculty members were advised they could not be gone because of a lack of substitutes.

“I’m not advocating this,” Neill said, referring to bringing in outside instructors. “I’m advocating the board approve us to go out and take a look,” he said. “This is not to replace our subs,” he added. “Our subs are amazing,” the superintendent said.

Assembling a roster of substitute teachers was made more difficult for public education administrators by the coronavirus pandemic, which prodded many potential older substitute teachers to opt out of offering their services. But even with the pandemic two or three years removed, having enough substitute teachers remains a concern.

“I think it’s something we need to look at,” Neill said. “We have to do something to expand that pool” of substitute teachers, he added.

The board approved the district going out for bids for agency instructors.

In other items taken up during the board’s monthly session, the Family Groups program at the three schools is being hailed as a success in bringing diverse students together in an informal setting. The program was put in place in Hermann Elementary School last year.

“I think it has really helped our kids,” said Principal Kendra Brune.

Hermann Middle School Principal Matt Mueller said the program is going well at that school and High School Principal Chip Stutzman said the program was started at that school with the start of this semester.

The superintendent saluted the seven members of the board as part of National School Board Recognition Month.

“I know this is a thankless job,” the top administrator said. “We appreciate you and recognize your contributions.”

Neill said administrators are cobbling together two potential budgets for the coming school year – one based on voter approval of the $5-million bond issue and fund transfer being proposed on the April 2 ballot and one based on voter rejection. As for the district’s financial standing at this point, the superintendent said the forecast remains good.

“I am confident we will track 1 to 2 percent surplus,” he said.

On a related front, the board approved the administration investing up to $1 million in reserve funds for a year.

A new job description is being drafted for the superintendent’s administrative assistant, Karen Morton, who will be receiving the title of executive assistant. In another personnel move, the assistant principal at Hermann Middle School will be the top administrator of summer school sessions, beginning with next summer’s session.