SJSD administrator cites budget pressure for reductions in international teachers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- The international teacher program in the St. Joseph School District began five years ago to help fill open positions, but now, district leaders are having to cut the number of international teacher spots.

The point of the international teachers' program was to help fill teaching jobs that were harder to fill, like math and science.  

According to Director of Human Resources Mark Korell, those subjects have always been among the most difficult positions for the district to fill.  

With the ongoing budget issues, though, some of those teachers won't be coming back next school year.

“Their visa has expired or will expire at the end of June, and they will have to return home based on their agreement,” Korell said.  

He explained how teachers work under a J-1 visa, which is valid for three years. After the third year, the district has the option to extend it for one year and then for an additional year after the fourth year. 

The district works with the International Alliance Group (IAG), a program founded in 2017, which helps schools find international teachers. IAG gives teachers an opportunity to learn and become better teachers in school districts across the United States.

“These individuals are on a temporary probation contract, which is identical to our brand-new teachers from one through five, so these are non-tenured positions,” Korell said.  

Currently, some international teachers in the district are in their third year, meaning their initial J-1 visa period has ended.  

The district had to make some difficult decisions due to its financial situation, but not all international teachers were asked not to return—some chose to go back home to be closer to their families.  

He added that some positions are no longer needed because of the district’s consolidation plan. 

Korell acknowledged the decisions were tough but said they were necessary given the district’s budget.  

“Based on our agreement with IAG, we pay a fee to IAG that is 20% to 25% of their salary, so most of our IAG teachers, we pay to that group an additional $10,000 to $15,000 per teacher, which is a great expense to our district,” Korell said.  

He said it was unfortunate that the district had to make such difficult decisions affecting one group of international teachers. 

This school year, the district had 30 international teachers. Next year, the number is expected to drop to 14.