Dear Editor:

I would like to discuss the shortage of Resource Room teachers at BRHS and its negative effect on my education.

According to edweek.org, “The White House office that oversees federal spending is withholding more than $2 billion Congress approved in February for more than 30 separate K-12 and higher education programs.” The budget cuts that President Trump authorized the U.S. Department of Education to make have caused several issues. He has already canceled $2.2 billion in grants. As a student who uses the resource room, I will be directly affected as I need help with certain subjects.

According to the data from learningpolicyinstitute.org, 44% to 50% of new teachers leave within their first five years. The major driving forces include burnout, lack of support, poor mental well-being, and salary concerns. The national teaching shortage is severe, with estimates of 411,509 vacant positions or positions held by staff not fully certified.

The teacher shortage is affecting BRHS as well. At BRHS, the Resource Room staff shortage is “down by two staff members,” according to Stacy Laird, a Resource Room ed tech. This is having a negative effect on the students who need support and the teachers who are stretched thin. Students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) are struggling to get the support they need due to the shortage.

I know that part of our shortage is not due to a lack of resources at this time, but a lack of suitable candidates to fill these positions. “The resource room is committed to meeting the needs of the BRHS, but this year it has been a challenge due to the positions that are open currently,” says Ms. Tanya Thibault, BRHS Special Education teacher. As a result, the administration has taken steps to meet students' needs by contracting with outside help, including online special education professionals. A Resource Room classmate of mine, Koh-Koh LaMarche, told me, “This digital help sucks. I tried to let her help me, but she couldn't help because she's not in the classroom.”

I understand our schools’ costs are the towns’ highest contributor to property taxes. However, educating students is an effective way to build a strong community and create future employment opportunities. When our students succeed, the peninsula succeeds.

John J. Pray

BRHS rising senior