Cy-Fair ISD had approximately 1,063 vacant positions at the start of the 2021-22 school year, including about 300 teachers, 150 bus drivers and nearly 180 paraprofessionals. According to data from the district, there were about 38% more job openings at the start of this school year than one year earlier.
Teacher vacancies have remained consistent throughout the school year with 286 positions open as of Dec. 13, said Chairita Franklin, assistant superintendent of human resources. Additional paraprofessionals, bus drivers, food service workers and custodians are also needed.
The district saw a 4% higher substitute fill rate from 2020-21 to 2021-22, but Franklin said there is still a need for substitutes. CFISD has about 549 substitutes working daily, while the average teacher absence and vacancy rate is 812.
Franklin said when teacher absences outnumber substitutes, campus principals may use substitutes from other classes on their off periods; send an instructional specialist, interventionist or administrator to cover classes; or split classes at the elementary level.
