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With surrounding counties in the area short-staffed when it comes to its teachers, Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) is lucky to have all but one position filled, yet the superintendent of schools says the division is not immune to the problem of teacher shortages.

“With fewer applicants each year, this problem could have a greater impact on CCPS in the future should we have more vacancies,” said CCPS Superintendent Dr. Robbie Mason.

Around Region 8, which encompasses CCPS. Lunenburg County has 12 vacancies. Prince Edward County is in need of 10 teachers, while Buckingham and Cumberland also have positions left to fill.

Statewide it is estimated that there are 1,200 vacant teacher positions.

“Everyone in Region 8 is facing the same challenges and using similar strategies for dealing with teacher shortages,” Mason said. “We have been able to fill our vacancies this school year because we did not have that many vacancies this year.”

Next to retirement, teachers are not only leaving the profession to find better opportunities they are leaving the school district most often for better pay and or administrative support.

“Many of our teaching staff are veteran teachers who have been with CCPS for a long time. As a result, we do not experience a great deal of turnover in these positions.” Mason said.

Mason added that the division works to support all its teachers but especially its new teachers.

“We work hard to support our new hires by providing significant mentoring at the school and division levels to help increase the likelihood of success during those difficult early years in the teaching profession,” Mason said.

Though CCPS is doing better than most when it comes to keeping its teachers motivated, Mason stressed that all school divisions in the region are utilizing every measure possible to address teacher shortages.”