"We have our babies covered," says DeKalb County School Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton. The new school year starts Monday, August 7th, and DeKalb still has 400 openings.
Dr. Horton joined Audacy Atlanta's Big Tigger Morning Show Wednesday and assured "there will be certified bodies in the building" when students report to class next week.
Academic coaches, including coordinators from the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and special education, according to Horton, will be put in classrooms. He adds there are also about 1100 substitute teachers across the district. "Every student will have a qualified teacher in front of them."
Horton, DeKalb Superintendent since July 1st, believes his Building a Teacher paid-residency program with enrollees signed to a minimum 5 year commitment to the district, will help recruit and keep qualified teachers. Horton says he's had success with the program in 4 other districts including Louisville KY, and East Saint Louis.