Lincoln Public Schools

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Substitute Paraeducator Handbook

QUALIFICATIONS

Application

Persons who wish to serve as substitute paraeducators apply by filling out a paraeducator application form in the Human Resources Office. An interview will be scheduled with a Human Resources administrator and further information will be provided at that time about becoming part of the substitute paraeducator staff. Once hired, substitute paraeducators must provide proof of citizenship and complete several forms required by the federal government in the Human Resources Office, and may be required to take a physical examination before they may be put on the substitute list.

METHOD OF NOTIFICATION

Lincoln Public Schools uses the automated system called SubFinder™. Click here for instructions on receiving calls for assignments.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

School closing information is broadcast, if possible, on the 10:00 p.m. news on the evening prior to the “weather day” or on local radio stations, beginning at 6:00 a.m. The current policy states that a substitute does not receive pay for weather-related cancellations that occur before the school day begins.

Substitutes who are working in a long-term position (more than 10 consecutive days in the same position) and work on the days before and after the canceled day(s) will be paid for the canceled day(s).

LENGTH OF DAY

Elementary schools are in session from 9 a.m. until 3:38 p.m. or from 8:15 a.m. to 2:53 p.m. Most middle schools have classes from 8:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. High schools will have varying start and end times, depending on location. The length of assignment will vary between buildings and among different types of paraeducator positions. The caller will identify the starting and ending time for each assignment to the substitute.

REPORTING TO SCHOOLS

Report to the school office immediately upon arrival in the building for your assignment. Make yourself known to the secretary, principal or designated administrator so they can assist you in obtaining any needed information. Find out who you are responsible to and from which person you will receive your instructions. At the end of the work day, you should report to the office before leaving; in some cases you may be asked to return on the following day.

NAME TAGS

Name tags should be worn by substitute paraeducators each day that they work. Name tags are available in Human Resources.

CAR TAGS

Car tags are available in Human Resources. They should be hung face out on the rearview mirror when the substitute assignment is located at a high school.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

The type of clothing appropriate for the various assignments will vary from building to building. In all cases, wear clothing that is washable and comfortable. Many paraeducators will be outdoors for portions of the day so it is advisable to bring appropriate outerwear. In the lower primary grades and in special education rooms, clothing suitable for sitting on the floor and similar activities is best to wear.

TIME REPORTING

A district-wide procedure has been developed for reporting substitute paraeducator time worked. Please fill out the forms provided to you in the school office and leave them with the secretary there. If you have a problem with a paycheck, call the Payroll Office, 436-1710. Make sure that you have all of your time report slips available so that Payroll can verify your records.

SUBSTITUTE APPRAISAL

Each substitute who serves during a school year may be appraised by the building principal. Forms are available for principals and teachers to provide input about a substitute paraeducator to the Human Resources Office. Staff is encouraged to write comments on this form. If the principal or teacher has concerns, a report may be submitted to the Human Resources Office. If a number of negative reports are submitted, the substitute will be asked to have a conference with the appropriate Human Resources administrator. A decision will be made either to permit the substitute to remain on the list or be removed from the list of active substitutes.

PARAEDUCATOR MENTORS & NOTEBOOKS

In a majority of the schools, there are paraeducator mentors. They have been asked by the building administrator to assist in acquainting the substitute paraeducator with the building and additional paraeducators on staff. They are also aware of paraeducator notebooks that, among other things, provide information to para substitutes about the responsibilities they may be called upon to perform. If you are called to substitute in a school that has a paraeducator mentor, please meet with the paraeducator mentor with questions regarding the school and its policies or procedures.

Please visit with the classroom teacher or appropriate school personnel to verify responsibilities for that day. It is pertinent to follow the instructions for the day in order to make a smooth transition.

LISTING OF PARAEDUCATOR MENTORS

In participating schools, there are paraeducator mentors whose responsibilities include greeting para substitutes who have never been to that particular school. The mentor should meet a substitute either in the school office or classroom where the sub is assigned and acquaint them with the para notebook and workday responsibilities. The schools that provide para mentors are listed below.

East
Culler
Dawes
Goodrich
Irving
Lefler
Lux
Mickle
Park
Pound
Scott
Behavioral Skills Program

Belmont	McPhee
Brownell	Meadow Lane
Campbell	Morley
Cavett	Norwood Park
Clinton	Pershing
Eastridge	Prescott
Elliott	Pyrtle
Everett	Riley
Fredstrom	Roper
Hartley	Saratoga
Hawthorne	West Lincoln
Hill	Zeman
Humann	Special Education Department
Huntington
Kahoa

PAYROLL PROCEDURES FOR SUBSTITUTE PARAEDUCATORS

Substitute paraeducators must stop in the office at the beginning and end of their work assignment. They must sign the Time Report Sheet to assure proper payment. A copy of the time report should be kept by the substitute paraeducator for comparison with his/her paycheck. Call the Payroll Office 436-1710 if there is a problem with a paycheck. All applicable Time Report Sheets need to be available for reference at the time of the call.

2002-2003 Salary:
Substitute Paraeducator I (General Instruction, Title I, Media)	$ 6.74
Substitute Paraeducator II (MH:Mild, MH:Moderate, LD/Resource, Hearing Impaired (HI), Head Start)	$ 7.25
Substitute Paraeducator III (BD, Middle School Computer Lab, In-School Support (ISS))	$ 7.77
Substitute Paraeducator IV (Motor Activity, MH:Severe/Profound, ECSE, BD II ½ (Behavioral Skills Program), Homebase, Orthopedic (OI), One on One)	$ 8.53
Long-term Substitute Paraeducator*	$ .15/hour additional

*after 10 consecutive days in the same assignment

PAYROLL PERIOD

Substitute paraeducators are paid once a month for the days worked between the 11th of the previous month and the 10th of the present month. Payroll warrants are mailed to the substitute’s home or automatically deposited. To have your paycheck automatically deposited, a form must be filled out in the Payroll Office.

2002-2003 Substitute Pay Dates
Time Period	Pay Date
August 11 through September 10	09-30-02
September 11 through October 10	10-31-02
October 11 through November 10	11-27-02
November 11 through December 10	12-20-02
December 11 through January 10	01-31-03
January 11 through February 10	02-28-03
February 11 through March 10	03-31-03
March 11 through April 10	04-30-03
April 11 through May 10	05-30-03
May 11 through June 10	06-30-03
June 11 through July 10	07-31-03
July 11 through August 10	08-29-03

SMOKING AND USE OF TOBACCO

The Lincoln Board of Education passed a policy which declares all Lincoln Public Schools’ buildings and grounds smoke-free. Board members voted to create the smoke-free environment in an effort to send a healthy message to Lincoln’s more than 31,000 students.

We would appreciate your help in meeting the board’s goal of a smoke- and tobacco-free environment for Lincoln’s children. When you are on school premises, please remember that our grounds are smoke- and tobacco-free and abide by the board’s policy.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL -- REGULATION 4790.1

The school district recognizes that the use, possession, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol illegally constitutes a hazard to the positive development of students and employees and a substantial interference with school purposes.

1. School district employees are prohibited from the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

2. Disciplinary sanctions up to and including termination of employment and referral for prosecution will be imposed upon employees who violate the aforementioned standards of conduct. Sanctions for violation thereof may include the requirement that the employee complete an appropriate rehabilitation program, reprimands, and non-renewal, cancellation, or termination of contract of employment.

3. Employees shall be advised through employee publications about drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and reentry programs available to employees.

4. Employees shall be furnished with a copy of this regulation;

This regulation supplements and is in addition to all other policies, regulations, practices, procedures and contractual provisions regarding or related to the improper or unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.