ARMA, Kan. – As Omicron surges and schools close due to staffing shortages, new plans are needed to keep kids in class. We paid a visit to one local district working outside the box to fill open positions.
Elementary Principal Kerstin Womble says Northeast USD 246 has been struggling with staffing issues like every other district in our area. “It’s been a little difficult for us as a small town because we share subs with every district in the area.”
But you wouldn’t know it if you paid a visit to one of their schools, like we did. That’s because, everyone is stepping up. “It’s been kinda neat seeing teachers that may teach 5th grade or junior high stepping into a kindergarten position for an hour or two, kindergarten teachers experiencing junior high, experiencing custodial duties, it’s been really nice to see them all step up.”
They’re getting help from beyond the halls of the school. “We actually have three parents that have called in and they’ve signed up to sub for us, which is really nice because they’re only subbing for our district.”
The Superintendent is helping out too by passing out lunch in the cafeteria. Even Womble is lending a hand where needed. “I am an elementary school teacher through and through and I taught junior high this week and it was really eye opening having a totally different age group of kids along with working in the cafeteria and cleaning up any messes that we needed.”
She’s not the only one, a number of staff members are filling roles outside their comfort zone, including high school Principal Russ Cramer. “I have my CDL and I’m able to drive a bus, this week I’ve been driving the bus in the morning and afternoon because we have some bus drivers out.”
But Cramer says, there’s a benefit to stepping into something new. “Being able to step in and do a job you’re not normally doing gives you a new appreciation for what other people are doing around.”
Womble says they’ll continue doing everything in their power to keep kids in school and safe.
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