As shortages threaten other districts, LPS fills all teacher positions

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — As the school year approaches, teacher shortages threaten schools nationwide, but not in Lincoln. 

Lincoln Public Schools said it’s filled every educator position that was open.

“Our district numbers, in terms of certified educators, is right at about 3,8o0,” said Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Vann Price. “And so that’s very normal and kind of the same number that we’ve seen here in the last five years.”

Price said two-thirds of the hires are new teachers. 

The Lincoln Education Association said LPS’s effort to recruit recent graduates paid off. 

President Deb Rasmussen said there are some conversations about new programs to help recruit more people, especially in special education.

“They’re looking at paras that have their bachelor’s degree, and they’re going to give them a program through UNL where they can become special ed teachers without having to pay for it,” she said.

LPS said the requirements to become a teacher, which include having a bachelor’s degree and being state-certified, are established by the State of Nebraska. 

Now that the district has teacher positions under control, it is focusing on other crucial roles. 

“We have about 150 classified openings, so that would be bus drivers, nutrition services, paraeducators, those types of positions that are opened,” Price said. 

LPS said it’s looking to hire more people in these fields to avoid overworking employees.

For more information on openings, you can visit the district’s website.