Digital coach program cut in effort to fill teacher openings
The Clark County School District has whittled down its teacher shortage by cutting a $3.5 million technology-training program and sending dozens of so-called digital coaches back into classrooms.
For the 2016-17 school year, 44 digital coaches were expecting to help fellow educators with computers, electronics and online resources. Instead, they have been reassigned to unfilled positions to work with students.
“We have a critical teacher shortage,” said district spokeswoman Michelle Booth. The 44 coaches going back to class “hardly puts a dent,” in the problem, she said. In all, there are about 700 unfilled teaching jobs in the nation’s fifth largest school district, down from 1,162 vacancies at this time last year, Booth said.
Administrators reassigned digital coaches after principals put having qualified teachers in classrooms ahead of the program, Booth said. District technology staff will now help schools with digital needs.
About two dozen Clark County teachers posted concerns about the cuts on social media after news broke Thursday. Some said they weren’t surprised, noting the district’s habit of getting rid of teacher-training programs after a couple of years. Others were understanding of the district’s priorities.
The digital coaching program lasted two-and-a-half years, helping many of the district’s 18,000 teachers improve their technology skills.
This past winter, the district cut a $9.2 million program for educators so 123 instructional coaches could fill open teaching jobs.
“These are really tough decisions, said Chief Student Achievement Officer Mike Barton.
Teachers questioned the timing of Thursday’s news, too. The digital coaches missed chances to transfer to more coveted classroom jobs in April and June.
After they were cut, they had to choose from leftovers. Booth said they were given priority so most got their first choice of the gigs still up for grabs.
”While late in the game, we want to make sure we get a solid return on investment,” Barton said.
The district has a $2.2 billion budget to serve about 320,000 students at 357 schools.
Contact Amy Nile at anile@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Follow @AmyNileReports on Twitter.
