PARIS — In what has become a nationwide norm, Maine School Administrative District 17’s academic year began this week with a number of unfilled positions. Elementary and special education teachers and transportation staff remain difficult roles to fill.

“Of our 17 open educator positions, seven are in special ed and six are elementary classroom teachers,” SAD 17 Superintendent Heather Manchester told the Advertiser Democrat this week. “We have more openings than we did last year at the start of school.”

Oxford Hills/Nezinscot Adult Education has one teacher opening. There are also a couple of school social workers, music teachers and a gifted/talented educator jobs that remain unfilled.  According to Manchester, teacher retirements have not decreased since that trend began during the pandemic, and there are fewer young people entering the profession.

“People are not going into education,” she said. “I don’t the exact stats, but University of Maine Orono, Farmington and University of Southern Maine don’t have as many students enroll in their teacher education programs.”

While elementary and special ed positions have been tough to fill, Oxford Elementary High School only has a few open jobs, which are for special educators. At Oxford Hills Middle School there two unfilled jobs: a math instructional coach and a special ed day treatment educator.

Manchester also cited the competitive job market as a challenge that seems to affect rural districts more than schools in larger communities that can offer higher pay. A number of teachers who have recently left SAD 17 did so because they were able to cut down their daily commute times.

“And then there are other jobs [outside of education] where people can go and make a decent wage,” she said. “Particularly for ed techs and support staffs, people are moving into other careers.

“But we have just negotiated a great support staff contract that will hopefully be ratified soon. Once that is done we will be able to offer those workers higher pay.”

There are three levels of ed tech staff; entry level ed tech positions were included in the broader support negotiation process along with bus drivers, custodians and food service workers. Ed tech II and III contracts will be negotiated in the next round of bargaining.

Pay for ed tech varies by experience. An ed tech I salary range, before the new contract is approved, is $16.29-$19.29 an hour and requires a minimum of high school diploma. Ed tech IIs pay starts at $16.64 up to $27.93 an hour and a minimum of 60 college semester hours of approved study. Ed tech IIIs must have completed at least 90 college credits, with a pay range of $17.29-$28.54, depending on experience.

Classroom teachers at minimum need a bachelor degree and either their teacher certification or a conditional certification. Educators can teach for up to three years while working to earn full certification. Starting salary for teachers with a four-year degree is currently $43,687 and $46,116 for those who have their masters degree.

Manchester said the district’s transportation department needs to hire at least five bus drivers to make sure every bus route is covered and eight more van drivers. RideSource continues to be the interim solution to driver shortages.

All fulltime employees of SAD 17 are eligible for full benefits. The school district pays for 80% of health coverage for personnel and their families; couples employed by SAD 17 have 100% of their insurance paid for. The district also pays for up to three courses each year to support professional development and certification renewal.

“There is a national shortage of teachers,” Manchester said. “It isn’t just in Maine. Considering the challenges, I feel like we have been able to hire good, qualified employees this year.”

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