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Rhode Island teacher shortage bill passes, heads to Gov. McKee's desk


Rhode Island State House (WJAR){ }
Rhode Island State House (WJAR)
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The Rhode Island General Assembly gave its final sign-off on a bill to help address the teacher shortage.

The bill would temporarily remove the 90-day limit for retired teachers and school staff returning to the classroom as substitutes.

They’ll now be able to teach for a full year without giving up their state pensions.

That includes retirees who will soon be allowed to substitute teach in Rhode Island public schools, with no limitations.

"We want the best for our kids and right now this is a positive step to provide quality teachers to deal with an immediate problem," said Tim Ryan, RI School Superintendents Association.

Until now, retired teachers were only allowed to work as substitutes for 90 days and keep their retirement benefits.

"It's left classrooms without a teacher. When that happens, the administrator steps in when they can and covers the class or we take the students and we have to divide them up and put them in other classrooms in the building," said Lynn Damruch, Warwick Public Schools Superintendent.

Creating issues for districts dealing with the ongoing teacher shortage.

“We have 26 substitutes who are retirees and around 10 of them are approaching the 90-day limit. We have one who has already approached that limit and has left subbing for Warwick. We'd like to have her back," Dambruch.

Other districts like Providence currently have 100 retirees working as substitute teachers, and 23 retirees working as administrators.

The bill is meant to help with a teacher shortage affecting Rhode Island, and the country.

“As an educator in Providence, I saw the need for this bill every day in my school and I know that teacher shortages are having serious impacts on the students and their learning in other schools as well. This legislation will help alleviate the problem in the short-term but we still have to find permanent solutions to the very serious problem of teacher shortages in our schools,” said Rep. Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence).

Providence and Cranston currently have a combined 150 retirees working as substitutes, with about 40 approaching the 90-day limit.

According to a statement from the General Assembly, many retirees hit that 90-day limit, leaving schools even more short-handed.

“This is a stop-gap measure to address a problem that needs long-term planning and investment,” said Democratic Sen. Valverde of District 35.

The bill is temporary and is set to last through 2024.

The legislation now goes to Gov. Dan McKee's desk for final approval.

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