During normal times, when the state and nation aren’t gripped by the effects of an economic recession, local school systems would be reporting this time of year about the dozens and dozens of new teachers joining area schools.

But, like most every other profession right now, teaching jobs are in short supply, and Rome and Floyd County Schools hired only a fraction of the number of people they might have were the budget not such a concern.

For Floyd County Schools, that means only 30 new teachers and paraprofessionals this school year, compared to 70 or 80 when times are better, and those are replacement hires, said Tim Hensley, a spokesman for the system.

“We’ve had smaller staffs for the last three years now,” said Hensley. Classes begin for Floyd County Schools on Aug. 9.

In the city system, only 15 new teachers were hired for the school year that starts Monday, and five of those position were funded through federal Title I dollars, said Superintendent Gayland Cooper. He said the “normal” number fluctuates, but he has hired between 35 and 60 teachers for economically stable school years.

Four of the new RCS jobs are for a new Phoenix Performance Learning Center, an alternative program for high school students that allows for more flexibility when they attend class. That program could allow students who are behind to catch up or other students to work ahead and even graduate early. The remaining hires are replacements at Rome Middle and Rome High.

Cooper said job turnover is low throughout the system right now because people aren’t moving jobs or retiring as soon as they might have because of the state of the economy.

“The economy impacts you in so many ways,” he said.

Both Cooper and Hensley agreed students should see minimal effect in class. Class sizes may grow by a student or two, but all classes in both systems should stay below the state maximum.

“What you’re going to see this year is maybe one or two more students in a class,” said Hensley. “You still have to do what’s best for students and what’s best for education.”