In Kansas City’s most affluent suburbs, where districts pay the highest salaries and traditionally have had an easier time recruiting teachers, schools have been struggling to ensure every classroom is staffed this fall. The Blue Valley school district in Johnson County — with among the highest starting teacher salaries in the metro at $46,000 — reported a high of 250 resignations and retirements this spring. The district started the school year short 90 paraprofessionals, said Eric Punswick, chief human resources officer. “It doesn’t matter what job it is right now in our district, the pools of applicants are much smaller than they were even 10 years ago,” Punswick said. “So when we post a job, we know we’re in competition with all of our neighbors, but also regionally, and with some virtual schools and other jobs out there that teachers are qualified for.”
Source: KC Star Local News
