Like many schools in Illinois, Flossmoor School District 161 has struggled to fill positions in past years. The district is in a better position this academic year.
According to Superintendent Dana Smith, District 161 has one open certified teaching position for the 2024-25 school year. A candidate has been identified and selected, and they hope to have that teacher helping students learn soon.
“This year is much better from a hiring perspective,” Smith said. “Last year, we had a few openings to start the school year and had to use some long-term substitutes, which is not preferable.”
The district overcame several hurdles to keep its classrooms staffed with permanent teachers. Replacements were found for employees who retired, resigned or were promoted. In addition to filling these positions, administrators had to find replacements for at least three teachers who resigned the month before the first day of school. At the Aug. 12 meeting, the District 161 board declined to accept the last-minute resignations.
Illinois State Board of Education rules state that teachers must submit resignations between the last day of school and 30 days before the first day of student attendance to be considered for a resignation outside of the term. Teachers who do not follow these rules could have their licenses suspended for up to a year.
Smith said the vote not to accept resignations is a formal action that aims to provide quality instructors for students. The district frequently tries to devise a plan with leaving teachers and the school districts where they are headed, but that’s not always possible.
“We’re not going to take action against all of them,” Smith said. “But it can be really difficult if we can’t reach an agreement. The board is in a tough position.”
At the same time, Smith said that if the teacher’s license gets suspended, everyone loses. Both districts could lose a teacher, and the teacher could lose the ability to teach for a year.
Since the state began facing teacher shortages, the decision to decline resignations has become increasingly common. For years, the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools has been working to report educator shortages and create solutions to the problem. Those plans include making changes at the college level, securing state and federal funding, encouraging more diversity in the field and a long list of other initiatives.