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APS short 120 teachers after cheating scandal

ATLANTA,None — A widespread cheating scandal cost some Atlanta Public Schools teachers their jobs, and now parents say children are facing new fallout -- a teacher shortage and overcrowded classrooms.

Chandra Galashar's child attends Parks Middle School, where the principal and 10 other educators were removed and now face professional disciplinary action.

"We don't have enough teachers in these schools," Galashar told Channel 2's Tom Regan on Thursday. Another parent told Regan that her son is in a classroom with more than 30 other students.

School spokesman Keith Bromery confirmed that math and English classes at the middle school may have more than 30 students, but they are team-taught by a teacher and assistant teacher.

"The superintendent said last night, the most important thing is the effectiveness of the teacher. An effective teacher can take a class of 35 and deal with them," Bromery said.

Bromery said Parks Middle School is short two teachers and a third is on medical leave. He said the school system has identified candidates for the positions. Bromery said the school district currently needs to fill about 120 teacher positions, which is down from 170 vacant positions just two weeks ago, and more jobs are being filled every day.

"The only thing I can tell you (is) as soon as possible. I can't give you a date, but we're filling them as we can identify qualified candidates and put them through the process," Bromery said.