SMSD Board Meeting Recap: Teacher shortage may force SMSD to return to all virtual learning

The Shawnee Mission School Board discussed the possibility of returning to remote classes during an emergency board meeting held Nov. 10 due to districtwide teacher shortages and the high number of coronavirus cases in Johnson County.

While no plans were made for a switch to online, the staffing shortages may cause issues in operating the district system, which Board President Heather Ousley thinks could possibly force a switch to remote.

According to the SMSD human resources department, 52 certified staff members have resigned or retired since July — 48 more than previous years. The loss of staff has resulted in a shortage of substitute teachers, with demand going up as many staff members are currently in quarantine.

With a record high of 1,927 known cases in Johnson Country, the high rise in positive cases and hospitalizations could mean a switch to remote learning, but SMSD plans to continue hybrid learning as of now, East principal Dr. Scott Sherman says. The amount of time that hybrid will continue for depends on the community spread of the virus in the coming weeks.

However, SMSD plans on giving families time to make arrangements in the case of a switch to remote. A two-week notice will be given before converting to online learning if the district is forced to make the change.

“It might not be by a vote [of the board],” Ousley said during the board meeting. “It might just be we can’t open the damn doors.”