LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jefferson County Public Schools is heading into the new school year with fewer teacher vacancies than it had at the same point last year, and Superintendent Brian Yearwood says he's confident schools will be ready when students return.
Around this time last year, JCPS had about 200 teacher openings. Yearwood said that number is now below 150.
"I'm very confident we have seen a decrease in our vacancies and I know that we will be ready for the first day," Yearwood said.
According to Yearwood, the phase-out of extra pay for teachers in struggling schools has not impacted hiring. Classes without a permanent teacher are typically staffed by a substitute. As part of budget cuts, JCPS also reduced pay for long-term substitutes. Yearwood said he does not expect that change to have an impact either.
Of the nine seats in Yearwood's cabinet, seven are filled. The two remaining openings are the chief business officer, who oversees the budget, and the chief academic officer.
The district named Dr. Jim Jury as interim chief academic officer, after the former chief academic officer Angela Hosch resigned after she saying the job qualifications changed without her knowledge.
JCPS has hired Ray and Associates, a search firm, to help fill the open positions.
"We have a national search going on right now and I'm confident we are moving toward getting those filled," Yearwood said.
JCPS students return to class next month.
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