Washington schools scramble to fill special education slots

SEATTLE — Only a few days remain until the school year begins, and many Washington districts still haven’t filled special education teaching jobs.

KING-TV reported that Highline Public Schools human resources director Trevor Greene says the district still needs to fill eight special education positions.

Greene says his department is working 10 and even 12 hour days searching for qualified candidates. He says they’ve turned to social media like LinkedIn to get the word out.

Greene says the district expects to staff some special education classrooms with substitute teachers when classes begin Thursday.

Seattle Education Association Vice President Phyllis Campano says more kids have mental health issues at a younger age and teachers have not been adequately trained to keep up with that.