Education association talks eastern Iowa staff vacancies [Video]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – This week thousands of students across eastern Iowa will be returning to the classroom, some school districts are starting the year with vacancies for specialized positions.

These are for positions like special education teachers, paraprofessionals and teacher’s assistants.

In eastern Iowa the Clear Creek Amana, Mount Vernon and Solon school districts are just some of the districts with job openings for those those positions.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District covers more than 30 school buildings and is celebrating 132 new teachers for the year. According to Frontline Education, the district has vacancies for 87 paraprofessionals.

Josh Brown, president of the Iowa State Education Association, (ISEA) says he’s seen shortages for positions like paraprofessionals since he began teaching 20 years ago, but it’s gotten worse over the last several years.

Brown says even though the schools can operate with the staff they have now, those vacancies can present challenges.

“When you’re short …