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| Friday, Feb 29 2008 6:04 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Feb 29 2008 6:04 PM
Kern County school districts are recruiting teachers despite talk of layoffs.
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Kern High School District’s head hunter, Russ Clark, scoured the northeastern United States for teachers last week even as the district is considering eliminating 90 teaching positions, spokesman John Teves said.
A proposed $4.4 billion education funding cut would leave the 24-school district with an estimated $24 million shortfall.
“Teachers of some subjects such as math are more difficult than others to secure,” Teves said. “Out-of-state recruiting is required to meet the staffing needs in such subject areas.”
Along with math, districts have the hardest time finding teachers credentialed in science and special education, Kern High Faculty Association President Mitch Olson said.
And finding them in California can be tricky because few want to move to Bakersfield.
Ironically, the annual Kern County Teacher Job Fair is March 15, the deadline for districts to notify credentialed employees — teachers and administrators —that they may not have their job next year.
José Cantu, coordinator for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools event, said 31 districts will be represented and may draw 300 to 400 candidates.
He said the timing of the job fair and potential layoffs may benefit both teachers and districts.
Teachers caught in the line of fire at one district may find work at another without relocating, Cantu said. And districts may find teachers with significant classroom experience who are laid off.
Bakersfield City School District will be there, spokesman Steve Gabbitas said.
“We’re currently accepting applications because we’re currently not letting anyone go,” he said.
Rosedale Union School District may have to layoff 30 teachers to balance it’s $2.1 million projected loss, Superintendent Jamie Henderson said.
But staffing is always up in the air, John Mendiburu, assistant superintendent of business said. Over the summer, teachers move, retire or change fields.
“They may have to layoff some people and then turn around and have to hire more,” Mendiburu said.