Concern about the V.I. economy, coupled with the usual snail's pace processing of Notices of Personnel Action (NOPA's), has led several new public school teachers recruited from the mainland to resign already.
One newly arrived math teacher "quit the same day he started," Alscess Lewis-Brown, Education Department director of personnel and labor relations, said Wednesday.
Into the second week of school for the 1999-2000 academic year, the department has put out a public call for applicants to fill vacancies in secondary science, mathematics and foreign languages.
On St. Thomas there is an immediate need for two foreign language (Spanish or French), one elementary English as a second language, three secondary science and three secondary mathematics teachers, according to Lewis-Brown.
On St. Croix, she said, one secondary culinary arts, two secondary science, two secondary math and two secondary computer science teachers are needed.
There are also several vacancies in physical education and special education, Lewis-Brown said.
Most of the openings are in junior and senior high school.
"Elementary teachers leave from one day to the next," she said, "but we have information on file of people we can call on to take their place."
She said additional vacancies will be created shortly as the department moves to discharge teachers who have not shown up to teach in the first five days of the new academic year.
Classes lacking teachers "have generally been meeting" as scheduled, Lewis-Brown said, with substitute teachers or paraprofessionals in charge.
Candidates for the announced vacancies must have at minimum a bachelor's degree in the teaching field. Teaching credentials are preferred, according to an Education release, but applicants "need not have completed the teaching licensure process at the time they apply."
Those hired will have to pass the Praxis examination and will have a year in which to complete certification and licensing requirements.
The positions pay $22,751 to $30,345, depending on education and experience.
For details, contact Lewis-Brown at 774-0100 ext. 3051, 773-1747 or 773-1095.
