PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- School districts across South Dakota may be short up to five hundred teachers according to the latest report from the Associated School Boards.

State Education Department Secretary Tiffany Sanderson says that’s a critical issue.

Sanderson says they are reaching out to high school and university students to consider teaching as a career.

Sanderson says many districts, especially rural ones are being creative in filling openings.

The legislature this year gave school districts a six percent increase in state aid.