Board warns of physics and math staffing shortfalls; outlines recruitment steps

At the Jan. 12 meeting, Fox Chapel Area School District trustees and administrators flagged significant staffing shortages in the science department, notably two physics openings and hard-to-fill middle-school math positions.

Board members asked how many openings exist and what recruitment strategies the district will use. The superintendent said the district is starting job postings earlier, contacting higher-education partners (University of Pittsburgh, Point Park and others) and exploring pathways that connect potential candidates to certification programs. She noted Pennsylvania produces very few physics-certified teachers each year, making recruitment especially difficult.

Board members discussed the limits of emergency certification — permissible only if no certified applicants apply — and asked whether the district can utilize university professors or professionals in the short term; administrators said state rules and certification requirements limit long-term hiring of noncertified teachers. The board suggested extending the recruitment runway by moving retirements earlier and using community networks to identify candidates.

Trustees emphasized the timing pressure created by recently revised science standards and urged administration to prioritize hiring and community outreach. The superintendent said district leaders will continue conversations with higher-education partners and post positions promptly to build a candidate pool.

No formal vote was required for the staffing discussion; actions related to hiring will return in future personnel or committee items.