LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Good news for two Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) in west Louisville: enrollment numbers are steady for Hudson Middle School and The Academy at Shawnee.
However, while it's good for the district, another important aspect of the classroom isn't seeing such great numbers. A teacher shortage has plagued many districts across the country and JCPS knows exactly what that feels like.
With new job postings, a new school year, and a new principal for Shawnee, JCPS leaders said Tuesday a shortage of teachers is a "good problem" to have.
"Enrollment has grown at some schools and that is a good problem to have," Cynthia Grohmann, interim chief of human resources for JCPS, said. "Kids are excited to be there and they've chosen that school, and they chose it for a reason."
Grohmann appreciated the new student assignment plan that started last year. It allows west Louisville students to go to a school close or far away from home. That wasn't the case previously when students would get on assigned busses and sent to other parts of town.
According to JCPS' website, the district is has an array of different positions open including 98 positions for K-12 teaching. Other job listings include substitutes, housekeeping, and security.
Although there are many listings, Grohmann said it's no reason for families to worry.
"These are all normal problems to have, especially at the beginning of the school year," she said. "The number of postings does not necessarily reflect the number of vacancies for a variety of reasons, but yes, they do show areas of need in the district."
"This will not affect your students ability to learn in the classroom, at all, because we've proven how to work through these instances," Grohmann added.
JCPS is also adding resource teachers to help fill in the gap, she said.
"Resource teachers are trained in different areas and different subject matters. But, they are certified teachers who are able to give a high level of support to any school that uses them," she said.
Among other new changes, The Academy at Shawnee will also see a new principal this year.
Many are calling this the most important back to school start day in many decades after last year's major transportation issues.
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