North Shore School Districts Still Hiring As New Year Is Underway

SALEM, MA — While the new school year is well underway across the North Shore districts are still looking to fill dozens of open positions.

Peabody, Salem and Swampscott are among the districts that have posted at least a dozen openings — ranging from tutors to monitors to substitute teachers — just since Sept. 1.

"We're also hiring as a school system," Salem Superintendent of Schools Steve Zrike said. "I want to remind you we're looking for crossing guards, cafeteria monitors, paraprofessionals and more.

"If you're looking for work and have thought about working in a school we'd really appreciate you checking us out."

As of Thursday morning, Salem Public Schools had posted 42 openings this month alone. Swampscott had 34 posted openings, including 12 posted since Sept. 1. Peabody had posted 17 openings, including 15 since Sept. 1. Marblehead had posted 25 openings, including five since Sept. 1.

Not all school districts post jobs directly on their websites and some positions posted in August may have since been filled.

The push for employees within the schools comes at the same time bus companies are scrambling to fill driver's seats and make all their routes across the state.

Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this week called up 90 Massachusetts National Guard members for training to drive school vans in Chelsea, Lynn, Lawrence and Lowell. Up to 250 Guard members may be deployed in the upcoming weeks if bus staffing problems persist.

Zrike said staffing problems at Salem's new district-wide bus vendor were, in part, to blame for transportation issues in that district in the first weeks of the school year, but said it is on the district to figure those issues out with the resources available.

"I know our contractor is struggling but it's our responsibility to continue to get to where we need to be to deliver a good experience for our kids," he said, before later adding, "It's a battle that a lot of communities are having.

"But, hey, I work for Salem Public Schools. My interest is in the needs our kids have. So we're not going to rest until we get this right for our kids."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)