Students Return to Schools Short on Teachers

Thousands of North Carolina students return to classes this week, while many schools are still looking for teachers.

Wake County students return to school Tuesday. Johnston County, Chapel-Hill/Carrboro and Durham schools open later this month.

In early August, Cumberland County Schools reported hundreds of teaching vacancies while Harnett County needs 30 more teachers. Johnston and Franklin Counties were still hiring teachers Monday.

Part of the shortage occurred when the General Assembly required smaller second-grade classes, but delayed funding for teaching positions.

Small school systems close to urban areas have trouble keeping good teachers who find they can make more money if they commute to the larger schools