Members of District 204 looked at what other schools are doing to decrease their teacher shortage.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Doug Eccarius, suggested trying the “Grow Your Own” program, which aims to recruit local community members and help them become future educators.
He highlighted a partnership between Rockford’s District 205 and Rockford University.
“They’ve made it so that you have a path where if [a student] is in financial need they just pay $5000 a year, I think for three and a half years, and they’ll have their teaching license,” Eccarius said.
District 204 President, Michael Raczak, agreed with Eccarius and said the board would need to form a committee to considers all options to address the shortage.
Naperville News 17’s Christian Canizal reports.
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