LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With just a few days of summer break left for Jefferson County Public Schools, hundreds of jobs are unfilled — but the district isn't sounding any alarms.
According to JCPS' website, there are more than 650 openings ahead of the first day of school this Thursday, Aug. 8.
"Those vacancies represent all of our departments across the district," said Cynthia Grohmann, interim chief of Human Resources at JCPS.
District leaders say the number of openings fluctuates. WDRB saw that firsthand. Monday morning, JCPS' website said there were 642 openings. By 5:30 p.m., there were more than 670.
Grohmann said with 16,000 to 17,000 employees throughout the district, this is a fraction of openings.
"Some of those vacancies will not be filled," she said. "They are positions that are out there that, because of enrollment or any other factor, may be taken off at some point and maybe haven't been taken off yet."
She said some jobs are also posted twice. It's not uncommon to see this at the start of the school year. During the school year, you'll see an average of 300 vacancies.
"Some schools are still working on enrollment up until the 10th day of school to see, so some of those are predicted vacancies based on predicted enrollment versus what the actual enrollment may be," said Grohmann. "So things continue to sort themselves out anywhere up to two to three weeks into the school year."
In mid-June, teachers at the Academy @ Shawnee were concerned about the number of vacancies, saying the school doesn't have enough staff to open this fall. At the time, the school's incoming principal said her initial comment was taken out of context. The district website then said there were 31 vacancies. Monday, it still said there were 31 vacancies.
"We've been keeping an eye on those openings, but they also are fluid from day-to day," said Grohmann. "It's hard to ever say the exact number at a particular (time), cause it's a snapshot in a point in time. So someone could resign, someone could be hired, someone could be (a) pending hire."
JCPS wants parents to know that their students' school will be staffed and ready to handle the start of the school year come Thursday.
To look at available jobs with the district, click here.
More JCPS Coverage:
- Kentuckiana's back to school guide for the 2024-25 school year
- JCPS ready for school start Thursday, but expected ruling from judge could complicate bus plan
- JCPS testifies school year could be delayed until November if TRO granted in civil rights lawsuit
- JCPS teachers make classroom preparations a week before students return
- JCPS 'learned a lot' from last year as it works to avoid repeat of first day transportation mess
- JCPS to consider restoring routes for some schools after first day of school
- TARC drivers making final preps to get behind the wheel of JCPS buses
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