BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

LISBON — A Lisbon School Board member and retired science teacher is volunteering her time to teach chemistry classes.

Rebecca Buckingham serves as vice chair on the Board of Education and at a recent meeting the board approved her as a volunteer educator.

“We are ecstatic that Mrs. Buckingham has volunteered to provide instruction for our chemistry students,” Superintendent Patrick Farrand said. “She has had a successful career in Lisbon as a science teacher and as a current school board member she continues to have a meaningful impact on the education of our students.”

Farrand said that across the nation and locally districts are having trouble filling positions. He said having someone experienced providing education at no cost is a major boon.

“It is important that our students are getting quality instruction in subjects like chemistry to ensure that they are competitive with other students in the post high school world. Shortages exist locally and nationally in the field of education and it is challenging to meet the needs of all students when there are zero applicants for open instructional positions,” he said.

Farrand said that Buckingham’s efforts are commendable, but pointed out that many people throughout the district have been stepping up.

“Everyone in the building attempts to meet the needs of our students. As a need arises to cover a period or two of supervision or instruction it is great when other employees assist to take care of the needs of our students,” he said. “If we have a period that needs to be filled it is great to hear that someone has stated that they have it covered. Sometimes a full or half of a day of absence is not required for a teacher to not be in school; it may only be a period or two. This is when stepping up has helped out. It eliminates the need to find a substitute for a day or half day.”

Last year the district struggled with transportation, but said things are improving.

“Transportation is running smoothly. There is always a need for school bus drivers and monitors. Fortunately we have a great group of committed adults who ensure we are getting our students safely back and forth to school each day,” he said.