Florida schools have a teacher shortage. Why are they cutting jobs? [Video]

The big story: Florida schools have made no secret of their inability to find enough qualified candidates to fill jobs ranging from bus driver to teacher.

To help with a shortfall of school psychologists, the University of South Florida this week announced it would offer a new degree program to prepare more of them. The three-year program will be provided through the College of Education.

It might seem odd, then, to see school districts preparing to cut jobs and possibly let staffers go at the end of the year. Volusia County is among the systems adjusting its staffing model downward.

Funding is the issue.

Money from federal coronavirus relief grants expires in the fall. And so far there’s not a similar amount to replace it.

As a result, districts are looking to cut positions the grant paid for, at the same time they talk about the need to find more people. Officials have expressed hope that the changes won’t result in layoffs.

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