Anne Arundel County students return to school with record-low teacher vacancies

Anne Arundel County students returned to the classroom Monday with smiles as the district began the new school year with a record-low number of teacher vacancies and no bus driver vacancies.

WJZ was at Van Bokkelen Elementary School as students arrived Monday morning to begin the new school year.  

"Excited," first-grader Amira Newton said.

"I think I'll be excited about seeing my friends," added eighth-grader Savannah Price.

Parents were also ready for another school year.

"It's a long time coming," said parent Tierra Newton. "Summer time is over."

Staffing, bus driver positions nearly filled

Anne Arundel County Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell says the school district has a lot to be excited about this year.

"This may be my best position of opening a school district in my career," Bedell said.

Anne Arundel County is starting the year with just 20 teacher vacancies out of nearly 6,000 positions, and no bus driver vacancies.

Bedell credits intentional recruiting, higher salaries and improved work-life balance for staff.

"Every year, we're retaining more and more," Bedell said. "We have a number of schools that are going to have 100% of their faculty and staff return."

Improvements with cell phone restrictions

Bedell said the district also saw fewer disciplinary infractions, better attendance, and test scores after last year's partial cell phone ban.

He expects that progress to continue when statewide restrictions take effect next year.

"When they're in school, I want them collaborating, i want them engaging with each other," Bedell said. "I don't want them focusing on, even during breaks, I'm looking at my device instead of continuing to develop socially and emotionally."

Stay positive and meet new friends

Students say they are focused on being present, staying positive, and making a few friends along the way.

"I can make new friends, and if we make new friends, we can do different games from what we did last year," Price said.

And a little pep talk from mom and dad doesn't hurt.

"Make sure we behave ourselves, listen, and make good decisions," Tierra Newton said.

"Stay positive, keep a smile on your face, and keep it moving and you'll be great every year," parent Thomas Price said.