PBC Superintendent Burke: Teacher Shortage Better Than Last Year

Just like most of the state, students returned to school in Palm Beach County today.

Schools Superintendent Michael Burke was asked whether there is still a need for teachers.

"Well we're in a little better shape than last year. It is a struggle, like it's a national shortage of teachers. There's fewer young people going into the profession, so we're getting creative."

He tells CBS 12 News that in addition to leaning into heavy recruitment efforts, the school district has other ways to increase the number of educators.

"We're also trying to grow our own teachers. So we have some high school education academies where we're able to offer some of our graduates a contract, so once they finish college they come back to us."

And he tells CBS 12 News that the school district is working with local universities to help school employees further their education and come back as credentialed teachers.