Baltimore County Schools is grappling with a significant shortage of teachers, particularly in special education. The district’s challenges were highlighted in a recent school board meeting, revealing that a substantial portion of current vacancies are concentrated in special education classrooms.
Current Teacher Vacancy Status
As of the first day of school, Baltimore County Schools has around 70 teaching vacancies. This number has decreased from 126 earlier in the month. However, the district still faces considerable staffing challenges, especially in special education.
- Vacancy Breakdown: 123 of the district’s schools are currently free of vacancies, with no single school having more than four open positions.
- Special Education Needs: There are still over 36 full-time vacancies for special education teachers.
- Math Teacher Shortage: The district is also seeking to fill 10 positions for math teachers.
Susan Stansbury, the director of staffing, emphasised that the district’s greatest needs lie in special education and math.
Special Education Staffing Crisis
The shortage of special education teachers is particularly acute. At the start of the last school year, the district had around 43 vacancies in this area. This year, the number of vacancies has increased, highlighting a growing concern.
- Current Openings: Over 36 full-time positions for special education teachers remain unfilled.
- Additional Roles: Earlier this month, there were also openings for 55 special education teachers and 18 special education paraeducators.
- Contractual Adjustments: To address these shortages, the district is offering part-time contracts of 16 hours per week for special education roles.
In response to the shortage, the district is utilising central office and non-teaching staff who are certified to teach special education. These staff members are being offered extra pay to fill these critical positions.
Math Teacher Shortages
Math teaching roles are also in high demand. The district has 10 vacancies for math teachers, adding to the overall staffing challenges.
- Current Solutions: To mitigate the shortage, math teachers are being asked to take on additional courses.
Impact of Budget Cuts
This year’s operating budget saw significant reductions, impacting the district’s ability to address staffing needs.
- Budget Cuts: Over 500 vacant staff positions were cut from the budget, including 250 teaching roles.
- Total Staff: The district employs approximately 9,800 teachers.
These budget cuts have compounded the difficulty in filling vacancies, particularly in areas of high demand like special education.
Calls for Diverse Hiring
Board member Tiffany Lashawn Frempong has advocated for a more diverse teaching staff. This call for diversity reflects broader educational goals and community needs.
- Diversity in Hiring: Frempong’s push for diverse hiring practices is part of a larger conversation about representation and inclusivity in education.
- Upcoming Data: Superintendent Myriam Rogers has pledged to provide data on the demographics of the teaching staff this fall, aiming to address concerns and improve representation.
Moving Forward
The Baltimore County Schools district is working hard to address these staffing shortages. Here’s a summary of current strategies and future steps:
- Increased Recruitment Efforts: The district is actively recruiting and offering extra incentives to existing staff.
- Focus on Special Education: Special attention is being given to filling vacancies in special education to ensure that students receive the necessary support.
- Monitoring and Adjustments: Ongoing assessments and adjustments are being made to address staffing challenges and improve overall recruitment efforts.
The shortage of special education teachers and other key roles remains a significant challenge for Baltimore County Schools. The district’s efforts to fill these positions and address budgetary constraints are crucial in ensuring that all students receive quality education and support.
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