INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Independence School District needs some new teachers, and they’ve put up some billboards to help fill those spots. That’s not unusual—except that the billboards are going up across the state line in Kansas, where state public school funding issues have many educators looking for a new gig.
The district has put up two billboards in Kansas so far—one along the Kansas Turnpike near Lawrence and another just outside of Wichita.
“We thought we had to do something a little unique because we wanted to get excellent teachers to place in the classrooms,” said Independence School District Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl. The district is looking for 45 new teachers after voters approved a 24-cent levy to lower class sizes.
“When the levy passed in April, it was past the time many colleges had already started their career fairs,” said Dr. Herl.
Officials from school districts in Kansas say that the billboards appear to be working.
“I’ve seen ads for Sprint and I’ve seen ads for Frito-Lay. I have never seen an ad advertising for teachers in the state of Kansas on a billboard. And I think that’s a sign of the times,” said Jeff Hersh, assistant superintendent of the Goddard, Kansas, School District.
“This year we’ve lost staff members to the Independence School District and very, very good teachers.”
Hersh says that uncertainty in Kansas over school funding has made it tough to remain competitive with other states.
Back in the metro, Dr. Herl says that the billboards are part of an expanding recruiting effort.
“(We) still have some positions available,” said Dr. Herl.
