Among the issues addressed by the Warren County School Board this week were the mounting costs of medical coverage for employees and the ongoing shortage of substitute teachers.

The rough proposed budget also was presented to the school board at the meeting. The budget is due in June, but the process is in place to provide transparency.

One of the school board’s financial burdens has been the rising cost of medical insurance for employees. As health-care premiums continue to increase yearly, providing quality coverage by compromising other areas of the school budget becomes more challenging.

Employees dedicated to educating and supporting students rely on these benefits. Yet, the escalating costs place an added strain on the district’s overall budget.

Another concern plaguing the district — and many others across the nation — is the shortage of substitute teachers. This shortage impacts not only the continuity of education for students but also places additional stress on regular classroom teachers, who are often required to cover lessons during their prep periods.

During public comment, a resident raised concerns about students often being in auditoriums with other classes where they are being monitored, not instructed. The lack of substitute teachers interrupts the education process.

The application and hiring process is lengthy and complicated for many potential substitutes, often taking several weeks. This delays the time it takes to get substitutes into classrooms and discourages interested individuals from applying in the first place. Streamlining this process and providing more straightforward guidance would make it easier for people to apply and fill these important roles.

School board member John Wortman addressed the small pool of which substitute teachers come from. “Warren County has about 19% of residents that have a bachelor’s degree, most of which are employed.”

Substitutes also face out-of-pocket expenses that many are unable or unwilling to absorb. These can include the cost of background checks, training, and sometimes transportation.

Offering more support to offset these costs could make the role more accessible to a wider pool of candidates.