As he contemplated personnel coverage for the 2019-20 school year, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rodney Troutman reported to The Press on difficulties finding staff for all the subjects offered.

“People aren’t going into teaching,” Troutman said.

Finding individuals to teach physics, chemistry, foreign languages and consumer science has become a challenge.

He noted Mansfield University dropped its consumer science program, which for many years trained teachers in what was once called home economics.

Troutman said band instrument instructors can still be found but teachers of strings and orchestra are harder to track down.

Finding someone to teach German is particularly tough, he noted.

School nurses who need certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education are in short supply.

“We can’t just use a registered nurse,” Troutman said. “It must be a certified school nurse.”

Finding substitutes for any of those positions is a challenge, said the assistant superintendent.

He attributes the downturn to funding issues.

Although Parkland has been able to continue offering a full program of courses, many school districts have dropped subjects such as foreign languages and musical activities.

As fewer jobs exist, individuals are less likely to pursue teaching degrees in the subjects which have become less common in the schools.

In another matter, Troutman explained the process for certifying clubs at the high school.

If there is a substantial number of people interested in starting a club, students are asked to find an adviser, preferably a teacher.

If the group sustains interest and members for two years, it can come to the board to become an official club.

Troutman reported about 65 clubs meet at the high school. Each year some new ones start up, and some are dropped for lack of interest.

A few new ones include Trojans for Life, Aerial Technology (drones) and the Tri-M Music Honors Society for members of the band, chorus and orchestra.

Advisers of the certified clubs receive $922 for the school year.