Teachers’ union urges Dover district to end exclusive EduStaff contract, citing coverage crisis
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Summary
The Dover Education Association told the board the district—aces a substitute-teacher shortage and higher costs after switching to an exclusive EduStaff contract; union data cited $50-per-day higher fees and widespread class combining. The board and administrators said they are reviewing the issue.
Dover —ducation Association President John Coniglio told the Dover Public School District Board of Education that teachers have reported a worsening substitute-coverage crisis since the district signed an exclusive contract with EduStaff.
Coniglio said the union collected 131 messages from staff about the issue and handed board members a packet of data showing high rates of class combining and cancelled special-area classes. "We are literally spending an additional $50 per day per assignment on a system that is providing fewer subs and far less stability," he said, saying EduStaff charges the district $200 per substitute-day while district substitutes cost about $150.
The union also described instructional disruptions. Coniglio said a special-area teacher on leave led to at least 15 canceled classes "with no lesson plans" while a leave replacement was not hired. He urged the board to "terminate the district's contract with EduStaff and return to hiring our own district substitutes."
Superintendent (title in transcript: Mister Jaime) acknowledged the concerns and said administration is working to address coverage and to limit how professional-development days affect classroom coverage. "I appreciate the data being shared," Mister Jaime said, and described steps the district is taking to refine procedures and support buildings.
Doctor Senner, chair of the student achievement and curriculum committee, said the committee has reviewed district data and found the number of class-coverage incidents had fallen in early November compared with September and October. "It is never okay for classes to be combined," he said, but added the new procedures have shown some improvement and pledged continued monitoring.
The board encouraged teachers and community members to participate in application processes for substitute licenses and said administration would make clearer application links. Board members and administrators agreed to provide follow-up reports to the curriculum committee.
No formal vote was taken on the contract during the meeting. The board did approve routine personnel and finance items elsewhere on the agenda and asked administration for updates on coverage and any contractual options in future meetings.