Teachers, substitutes face sweeping changes in state recertification

The Perry County Retired Teachers' Association met at 11a.m. on Feb. 14 at Alongi's Restaurant in Du Quoin. Guest speaker at the meeting was Donna Borros, Regional Superintendent for Jackson-Perry Counties. She informed members about the changes to the Illinois professional educator certification. The target date for implementation of the new Illinois Licensure system is June 30, 2013. For any questions, members may contact the Jackson/Perry Regional Office of Education #30 at (618) 687-7290 or www.roe30.org.

Here are the basic changes:

• One revision includes a new system of certification as well as a hike in application and renewal fees for certificates and endorsements.

• Cost of certificates went from $30 to $75 beginning on Jan. 1. Additionally, at the beginning of the year, the fee for endorsements will go from $30 to $50 and registration costs will double from $5 per year to $10 per year.

• From July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2015, licenses will jump from $75 to $100.

There also will be changes in substitute teacher policies.

• As of Aug. 26 this year, there will be no limit on the number of days a person can substitute teach within one school district. There will be a limit of 90 days for a person to sub for a teacher with a sub license and a 120-day limit for a teacher with a professional education license to sub for a teacher.

• Retired certificate holders are limited to 100 days.

According to the Illinois Senate bill that specified the changes, bill the following guidelines will apply to lapsed certificates:

• People with lapsed certificates/licenses cannot substitute teach and may not apply for a substitute teaching certificate.

• A teacher whose certificate has expired and has not been renewed within six months of the expiration date will be considered to have a lapsed certificate and be required to complete nine semester hours before the certificate can be reinstated.

• The hours must be in the content area and cannot be pedagogical in nature, or be applied towards another certificate endorsement.

• All back fees will be required.

• If a certificate is lapsed, a teacher cannot be working or hold a position requiring a certificate.

• All professional education and content-area coursework required for the issuance of a certificate, endorsement or approval must have been passed with a grade no lower than a "C" or equivalent.

President Pat Ferrari then called the business meeting to order and asked members and guests to introduce themselves. Terra Auvil gave the treasurer's report.

Membership chairperson, Pat Ferrari, reported the association currently has 86 paid members. Reminders will be sent on March 1 to those who have not paid their dues. She also mentioned there have been numerous hits on the association's website.

In new business, the association made donations to the Du Quoin and Pinckneyville food pantries and the Jaycees 'Youth Movie Night'. Also, members voted to give a scholarship to a senior from Du Quoin High School and Pinckneyville High School.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Door prizes were won by Gary Brock, Terra Auvil, Shirley Bigham, Toni Martie, Earlene Bullock, Ed Martie, and Barb Croessman. The next meeting will be a social at the Dixie Cup in Pinckneyville.