Springfield Public Schools administrators say they have solved the puzzle of the state- and nationwide teacher shortage for the school year, which began with classes for most students Monday.

Gina McLaughlin-Schurman, assistant superintendent for human resources, told the school board Monday that retirees are filling the gaps this fall – and not working enough days to threaten their pensions. McLaughlin-Schurman said new hires would be made in January, hoping that the twenty student teachers in classrooms now would provide an ample supply of candidates.

Superintendent Jennifer Gill said the student count Monday was just over 13,000, which should go up after the Early Learning Center kicks into high gear.