Threat of teacher shortage may be over

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001 | 11:31 a.m.

A crippling teacher shortage no longer appears to be a threat in the Clark County School District.

George Ann Rice, assistant superintendent for personnel, said Wednesday the district has about 1,328 teachers line up for fall employment.

"About 130 positions are still open,' she said.

Rice expects those positions to be filled within the next couple of weeks.

School officials several months ago began predicting a teacher shortage of about 500 by the start of the school year Aug. 30.

But over the past couple of months, recruiters stepped up their efforts, said Rice.

"We eliminated some of the jobs fairs that are ineffective and went into some urban areas to do recruiting on the weekends and at night,' she said.

Originally, school officials said they needed around 1,500 new teachers for 2001-2002.

Over the course of last year, 710 teachers quit the district, said Rice.

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