(AP) — Hawaiʻi public schools are having trouble finding substitute teachers. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that of a daily average of 1,200 requests for substitute teachers, nearly 150 go unfilled across the state. The shortfall is occurring even though the state Department of Education has a pool of 3,200 active substitutes. Some are turning down assignments because they don’t want to be exposed to COVID-19. Some feel the department hasn’t done an adequate job of making schools safe from the virus. The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association says some administrators have been filling in. A department official hopes the problem will diminish amid lower case counts and as more people are vaccinated.

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