Rural Missouri schools face teacher shortage, Campbell R-2 takes action

The Campbell R-2 School District Board of Education voted on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in favor of instituting a four-day school week for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Campbell R-II Board of Education's January meeting drew a High School library filled with concerned parents, interested teachers, and faithful community members who heard from Campbell Schools Superintendent Ben Foster, who pitched the idea during a lively discussion.

He pointed to national numbers, like the shocking decrease in educators graduating from university and the ever-diluted pool from which to hire qualified teachers.

Foster said the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) noted that nearly 180 school districts of the reported 565 statewide opted into four-day academic models.

Foster said in January that the change would be a proactive measure aimed at addressing the issue of the shrinking number of candidates willing to locate to rural communities when teaching positions become available.

Foster noted that most teachers at Campbell schools either graduated from or live at Campbell and are reluctant to relocate.

There are 554 students served at Campbell's pre-K -12 district, according to online sources.

This is a developing story; details will be added.