The Amityville School District kicked off the school year with a deficit in staff.

Six teacher resignations were announced this week, bringing the total to more than three dozen in a year.

Amanda O'Connor has two daughters in the district. She moved to South Carolina two weeks ago to give her kids better education.

"The amount of teachers resigning was out of control and it seems like literally, it's a ball rolling down hill," says O'Connor.

In addition to the teacher resignations, those who are still with the district are working without a contract. The Amityville teachers' contract expired on June 30.

Community members say teachers are leaving in droves because they're underpaid and overworked.

In a statement to News 12 the district says, "We have launched an extensive recruitment campaign to attract the best teaching talent to our district. This includes advertising in various educational networks and attending job fairs."

News 12 reached out to the state Department of Education and the teachers' union for comment but has not heard back.