MSCS has nearly 500 teacher vacancies ahead of school year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thousands of students are heading back to school on Monday across the Memphis Shelby County School District.

However, less than a week away, nearly 500 teacher vacancies remain.

Last school year involved many changes, including hiring Dr. Marie Feagins as the district’s new Superintendent. Now, issues like overtime and teacher vacancies could bring more changes to MSCS.

As students and parents prepare for the new school year, Tuesday’s board meeting is set to cover the district’s preparations.

As of Monday afternoon, there are nearly 500 classroom teacher vacancies posted online.

Earlier this year, Dr. Feagins announced she’d be transferring office staff to fill some of those openings.

“We know we need qualified instructors directly in the classroom to lead our students or we will not see different results,” Dr. Feagins said.

WREG has reached out to MSCS for the exact number of vacancies but has not heard back.

There’s another issue involving teachers that is impacting the district.

“We have an abuse of overtime,” Dr. Feagins said. “We have individuals who are submitting requests or have not submitted requests, but have been paid and compensated for time not worked.”

During MSCS’s last meeting, Dr. Feagins claimed overtime is costing the district around $1 million.

That’s led School Board Commissioner Keith Williams to have some questions.

“We want to know who got it, why did they get it, and how much they got,” Williams said.

Under the proposed new policy, overtime would now need advance approval from the superintendent or someone else she designates.

“I just want the public to know teachers don’t enjoy that advantage and teachers have not received overtime and probably never will,” Williams said. “Teachers spend an inordinate (amount of time) in school. Certainly, no one stays 8.5 hours. We stay up to 10 hours a day in the building.”

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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