A 2018 survey by The Guardian found that 28 of 41 states responding reported a shortage of K-12 teachers. Among those was Nebraska.
    In Wauneta-Palisade School District, Superintendent Randy Geier said that while Wauneta has enough teachers both this year and next, finding them is often dicey.
    Three teachers in the district — Lori Klooz, Lisa McAlevy and Stephanie Malcolm — have resigned; their replacements already have been found.
    Under current circumstances, it can take anywhere from a few days to a month to fill an open teaching spot here, he said.
    “We were very fortunate this time, though. It’s about timing.”
    There are several factors causing the shortage, he said.
    As it is in many profession, salary is a problem.
    “A student comes out of college and starts out making a lot more [in the private sector] that they can in teaching,” he said. That situation is unlikely to change anytime soon, he said.
    The base salary in Wauneta Palisade is in the mid-$30,000 range.

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