‘They’re dropping like flies’

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

HAMILTON – For this first time in recallable history, public school officials say they are struggling to find elementary school teachers.
The Marion County Board of Education met on Wednesday, July 14, where they handled a large amount of employment business.
“Never did we think that we would be in a place where we would have a hard time finding elementary teachers,” Marion County Superintendent of Education Ann West told board members.
West said system administrators are attempting to fill all open positions by the time school starts, which is Tuesday, Aug. 11. Board officials approved seven job postings during the July 14 meeting. In addition to these, West told the Journal Record that as many as five other job postings for elementary school teacher roles were still open, including a vacant position as  Hamilton Elementary School’s principal.