While the shortage of teachers may be garnering attention nationally, local superintendents say the biggest struggle is finding enough support staff.
Whether its paraprofessionals, maintenance workers, or bus drivers—there’s a lack of applicants for those positions.
“We really struggle to fill our paraprofessional positions. We often struggle to fill our substitute positions, and even our custodial positions. I think there’s a general staffing challenge,” Butler Superintendent Dr. Brian White said.
Seneca Valley Superintendent Dr. Tracy Vitale says that paraprofessionals are really needed in their district, and adds that there may be a misnomer about the qualifications needed to do the job.
“It’s great if you have a college degree, but it’s not needed because we provide most of that training,” Vitale said. “We just want you to love children and we want you to love working with children that have disabilities.”
Districts across the county say that interested applicants can learn more by visiting the district’s website.
