Central Elementary seeks 5th-grade math teacher amid staffing needs

Central Elementary School was still looking to fill a 5th-grade math teacher opening on May 6, a vacancy that can quickly ripple through an elementary campus if it lasts beyond spring hiring. At a grade where students are solidifying the math foundation they will carry into middle school, an unfilled classroom can mean tighter schedules, heavier coverage demands and less continuity for families.

The opening matters because 5th-grade math is not an isolated slot. If Oxford School District cannot fill it quickly, the school may have to adjust class balance, redistribute responsibilities or ask other teachers to absorb extra work while the vacancy remains open. For parents, that can affect how smoothly students move from one teacher to the next and how much individualized support is available in the classroom.

The posting also comes at a time when Central Elementary already has a high-profile instructional presence in math. Oxford School District named Anna Jeffries, a 4th- and 5th-grade math interventionist at Central, as its 2025-2026 District Teacher of the Year. Jeffries’ role underscores how central math support is at the school, especially in the upper elementary grades where intervention can shape a student’s progress before middle school.

Central Elementary is also working under new leadership. Oxford School District named Chasity Arbuckle as the school’s new principal, effective July 1, 2025, pending board approval. That combination of leadership turnover and an open core subject position makes staffing a practical concern, not just a personnel note, for a school serving a key stretch of the elementary years.

The hiring need also fits into a broader countywide picture. Lafayette County is served by two public school systems, Oxford School District and Lafayette County School District. The county district, established in 1966, says it aims to provide students an exceptional education in a nurturing environment, and it reported in September 2025 that it had maintained an A rating for eight straight years, with a Top 25 ranking in the state.

Across Mississippi, the Department of Education maintains a statewide educator job-search platform to connect districts with certified prospective teachers and open vacancies. For Central Elementary, the immediate question is whether the 5th-grade math position is filled fast enough to avoid disruptions before the next school year settles in.