n LOUDOUN
Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG
VOL. 7, NO. 39
Pg. 8 | n EDUCATION
Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES
Pg. 24 | n PUBLIC NOTICES
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Pg. 24
AUGUST 18, 2022
School Division Avoids Teacher Shortage Crunch BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
R.T. Legard stands in a field at Glenmore Farm filled with his collection of 182 antique tractors and other antique farm equipment that will go to auction next weekend.
Parting With a Lifetime’s Collection
Legard Farm Auction Showcases Farming History BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
One of the largest collections of antique tractors and farming equipment
is going up for auction as a dean of Loudoun’s agricultural community prepares for retirement. “There’s three generations of farm equipment here,” R.T. Legard Jr., 79, said
looking over a field with row after row of tractors and other farm implements lined LEGARD FARM continues on page 33
Although many of the nation’s schools are scrambling to find enough teachers as the new school year draws near, Loudoun County Public Schools seems to have avoided falling into that category as students return to class next week. In fact, administrators say the numbers of hired teachers seem to be above what they normally see this time of year. In March, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona issued a nationwide call to action for states, higher education leaders and schools to work together to address the teacher shortage. In a statement, Cardona encouraged them to use federal resources to “address the critical challenge schools and districts across the nation are facing.” Since then, media outlets have reported on the teacher shortage in America, claiming it has hit crisis levels. Wayde Byard, spokesman for Loudoun County Public Schools, said Loudoun’s school division has 97.8% of its positions filled. Byard said the district is normally above 95% by this time of year, so it’s “right on target.” TEACHER SHORTAGE continues on page 34
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