Over the last year, Kennebunk High School, as well as the entire RSU21 school district, has lost numerous staff members. This, ultimately, results in our school being short staffed and puts strain on students and staff members. Currently, the high school has vacant positions including that of a math teacher, STEM teacher, special education teacher, and guidance counselor.

Theater teacher Mr. St. Pierre is set to leave in January, and two English teachers will be on maternity leave during the second semester, with no long term substitutes set in place. The teacher who was supposed to serve as a long-term substitute for Ms. Besanko until March withdrew, resulting in Ms. Connors stepping in on short notice. Although several guidance counselors were hired over the summer, some withdrew before the school year began, one has since taken a different position, and another is in a temporary position and is set to leave in January.  Additionally, the school has been operating without one of the assistant principals since September.

Two weeks ago, KHS lost a math teacher, Mr. Lansing, who had just been hired this past summer. As a result, instructional strategist and former KHS math teacher, Dr. Hubacz, has taken on four of Mr. Lansing’s Algebra 2 Honors classes, while math teacher, Ms. Lavoie, has taken on a Pre-Algebra class.

Dr. Hubacz felt it was important to jump right into this empty position given the pivotal nature of Algebra 2. She is now working as both a math teacher and an instructional strategist, but is maintaining a lighter load for each. She is saddened by the fact that she has not been able to work with any of the high school’s new teachers as a result of this undertaking. Dr. Hubacz says this has increased her workload as she finds herself waking up earlier to complete all of her work. She expects to be her students’ full time teacher through the end of quarter 1, and will hopefully then co-teach with a new teacher. Currently, it seems that a replacement has not been hired. 

Students in Dr. Hubacz’s Algebra 2 class shared that the resignation of Mr. Lansing was sudden and unexpected. They felt it was challenging to adapt to the new styles of homework and note-taking that are specific to each teacher. Despite this, they feel that they’ve maintained an adequate understanding of the class material throughout the process. The students expressed concerns about the fact that they are expected to have three different teachers in the span of one month, given the fact that Dr. Hubacz will not be their full time teacher. Dr. Hubacz reflects that this experience has helped her get more in touch with what teachers are facing right now after being out of the classroom for four years.

In August, a STEM teacher at the high school, Mr. Kane, resigned, and a replacement teacher has not been hired. Mrs. Keezer, another STEM teacher, explained that she was asked to take on one of Mr. Kane’s IB Business Management II classes, which has left her without a planning period. This has forced her to spend much of her days off doing school work. During the school day, Mrs. Keezer is no longer able to utilize a prep block to meet with students and plan for classes. 

Many students are currently scheduled to take STEM classes next semester, yet, as of now, there is no one to teach them. Mrs. Keezer shares, “I am frustrated for the students who elected to take engineering in the first semester this year because they lost an opportunity to try the course. We need to have courses like engineering and other electives in order to be considered a comprehensive high school. It is important that students have the opportunity to take these classes so they can decide if a class like engineering, computer programming, robotics, 3D design, and graphic design might be something they pursue in the future.” She is concerned that the high school could permanently lose this position if it does not get filled. 

While Mr. Tombleson and Mr. Weafer did not respond to questions regarding how their own workloads have changed as a result of KHS being short an assistant principal, Mr. Tombleson did share that he is grateful for the incredible colleagues who work hard to support each other as well as the students and families of KHS.

The faculty and students of Kennebunk High School are suffering as a result of these staff shortages. Despite this, our teachers are working tirelessly and overtime, even without contracts, to make sure students have the best learning experience possible given these circumstances.