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Garfield student raises chemistry-teacher vacancy; superintendent says district is recruiting and exploring community partnerships
Summary
A Garfield High School student expressed concern to the board that her chemistry class lacks an in-person teacher; Superintendent Dr. Tomko said the district is actively recruiting, re-posting the opening and exploring a Bergen Community College partnership while teachers pursue certification.
A Garfield High School student told the board on Dec. 16 that her chemistry class has no in-person teacher and that the virtual instruction she is receiving is inadequate for lab-based science.
"I want to study astrophysics in college and I'm worried that I won't be able to do well in college level science classes if I don't have the foundation of doing high school level science classes," student Yolanda Orza told the Garfield Board of Education during public comment.
Superintendent Dr. Tomko acknowledged the shortage and described active steps the district is taking. "This is a horrific situation," Dr. Tomko said. "We are actively still looking for a chemistry teacher. It's posted again. Hoping that January, we have a new set of college students that are graduated. Hopefully, we can get someone there." He said the district is also working with the Garfield Federation of Teachers (GFT) to get current teachers certified as quickly as possible and is exploring a partnership with Bergen Community College as a possible plan B to bring qualified instructors into the classroom.
Dr. Tomko said the certification required is "very specific" and that the district is pursuing several paths, including recruiting newly graduated college teachers in January and asking certified staff to take additional coursework. He cautioned that the district may need time to complete certification processes but said it will place an in-person instructor as soon as one is available.
The shortage has coincided with student complaints about intermittent Internet and technology problems that have disrupted lessons. Student government treasurer Jesus Muscaro Moreno told the board that persistent network outages make it difficult to complete class work during school hours and force students to finish assignments at home. Dr. Tomko said the district is working on technical fixes and expects to present a plan to the board before the next meeting in January; he reported meetings with outside network vendors and work on switches and certificates to stabilize the system.
Ending: The superintendent told students the district will continue recruiting and will pursue partnerships while it addresses certification and technical problems. He said the board expects a further update before its January meeting.
