KILLEEN, Texas — Killeen ISD's school board met Tuesday to discuss a school safety plan in the event of an active shooter, but some parents are saying that's not even half the problem.
Khandiese Cooper is a parent who spoke up. Cooper is not only a mother but a photographer and works at her family's business in addition.
“I have an 8-year-old [who] attends Saegert Elementary, so when you talk about the level of care and learning quality that these kids will be receiving, he’s at that time where having a teacher that can focus on just learning [is important]," said Cooper.
Cooper told 25 News her hands are full and that she's working overtime for her son to fill the gaps that could be missed at school.
Tam Jones, a former Texas superintendent and a current professor at Texas A&M- Central Texas, shared his thoughts on the shortage.
"The teacher shortage is real, and it won't be going away; it won't be going away this year or next year,” said Jones.
It's a scary reality for school districts but even scarier for the futures that depend on quality education, Cooper shared.
“Teachers are in this space to teach our children; not to be security, not to manage the safety of our children,” said Cooper.
Cooper says the reality is that teachers now have to do both; focus on safety and teaching.
On Wednesday, Killeen ISD is hosting a job fair to recruit more teachers to fill key teaching roles. Their starting salary is $56,160; an amount not including the stipends below:
- $2,000 dollars for relocation
- $7,500 bilingual classroom teacher
- $5,000 SPED classroom teacher
- $2,080 critical subject teacher
- $3,120 critical subject shortage stipend
The job fair is scheduled from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Killeen ISD Career Center.
