Schools make last minute preparations

VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Students practice, teachers set up, and the construction team work continuously to get ready for the year ahead.

"I am ready for the new school year. I'm very excited to get students back in the building and get things going for the 12-13 year," North Vermillion High School Principal Jayne Ann Virostko said.

However, North Vermillion High School along with others in the area weren't always sure they would be ready.

Principal Virostko hired her last teacher Wednesday.

"I have not experienced a summer like this, no. And definitely not down to the wire like this, with concerns that I was not gonna have all my staff in place on the first day, so I will sleep better tonight," Principal Virostko said.

Despite the competitive teacher's market, it can be difficult hiring someone.

She said it depends on the curriculum and location of the school.

"I hired seven teachers this summer, so I'm gonna have seven new people on staff. When I posted the P.E. position that we had open, I had about 50 applicants, when I posted social studies, again about 50, when I posted English, I had about ten," she said.

The school is still looking for a speech and language teacher.

Educators said that position is difficult to fill because the job's criteria is tougher to meet.

More projects that were just recently finished up include 60 new cameras, an intercom system, new gym bleachers, and a renovated auditorium that will be finished in September.

"Almost every area of our building has been touched by something, we are almost to a point where everything is complete."

Educators work hard to be their best.

"We have to sell ourselves, and we're going to sell that by what we can give students, and the people that we have in place here."

It's the first of many lessons for students this school year.

Vermillion County Schools start August 14th.