School district struggles to fill critical special education roles

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed critical staffing shortages within the Florence Unified School District, particularly in special education roles. Superintendent Mike Carr highlighted the ongoing challenge of filling positions such as speech language pathologists, substitute teachers, and preschool paraprofessionals. The district is currently relying on contracted services to meet legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) due to a nationwide shortage of qualified candidates.

The conversation also touched on the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, which are set to expire by September 30. These funds have previously been utilized to offset costs and support staffing needs, but Carr clarified that they cannot be used to fund new positions for the current fiscal year due to the impending deadline.

Additionally, the board addressed the recent 20% salary increase for school resource officers funded through a grant. Carr confirmed that while the district had initially secured funding based on previous salary levels, the increase would require additional funding requests to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). He noted that if ADE does not approve the additional funds, the district may need to find alternative budget sources, which could pose significant challenges given current budget constraints.

The meeting underscored the district's commitment to maintaining essential services for students while navigating financial limitations and staffing difficulties, a situation echoed across many districts in the region.