About 900 teachers left DeKalb school system

District says it should have surplus for coming school year.

The loss of 887 teachers — about 14 percent of the district’s teachers — is the most of any district in metro Atlanta.

The DeKalb County School District lost about 900 teachers for the second consecutive year.

But the district should now have a teacher surplus, according to numbers furnished by the human capital management office. That office reports 271 teacher vacancies as of July 10.

District officials have not explained why they need hundreds more teachers than expected.

While the district lost 887 teachers since July 1, 2016, it hired 1,182 in the same reporting period. It reported 372.5 vacancies at the start of the 2016-2017 school year, which would result in a shortage of 77.5 teachers.

But the district also reported currently employing 85 teachers through certification waivers.

Teachers reported leaving for a number of reasons — from moving away and getting married to better jobs at neighboring districts or retiring.

The loss of 887 teachers — about 14 percent of the district’s teachers — is the most of any district in metro Atlanta.

Last year, Superintendent Steve Green said of the shortage that he expected some people would leave as the district transitioned to higher standards under his leadership.

In neighboring Atlanta Public Schools, officials said an aggressive campaign to retain school administrators has helped with retention efforts. The district’s retention rate over the last year was just over 90 percent.