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Davila hopes plan will help schools and save money

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD Victor Davila, candidate for School Committee, recently told Reminder Publications that School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Burke has been "pretty receptive" to Davila's plan to use volunteers as substitute teachers.

In a letter to Burke, Davila said that he wanted to "maximize saving for the School Department, to institute a volunteer program aimed at filling current openings in the substitute teacher pool with volunteer citizens."

Davila also wrote Burke that a "possible $100,000 annual savings" could be realized.

He said that he anticipates many of the volunteers would come from the retirement community

"I think many of them would step up and offer themselves," he said.

Davila said he doesn't wan to displace any paid employee and that his proposal will have to undergo scrutiny for any legal implications.

Under his plan, the volunteers would have to

have a minimum of 60 college credits or above;

pass a CORI check;

commit to a number of hours per week;

and complete an introductory training.

Volunteers would also have to adhere to School District policies.

Davila said that any savings realized by this plan, if it is implemented, should stay within the School Department's budget and not go into the city's general fund.

Davila hopes to set a meeting with Burke to further discuss the plan.