Cincinnati Public Schools, local districts work to fill open positions during teacher shortage
School doors are beginning to open for the start of a new year.
Many districts across the country and our local states are struggling to fill open positions.
"We are in a shortage. We are seeing a decline in the interest of being a public educator. And Kentucky is certainly experiencing this just like the entire nation," said Kentucky Department of Education Association Commissioner Byron Darnall.
Darnall said there are more openings and less interest.
COVID-19 only made it worse.
"It exacerbates the stresses on schools and public schools. And public schools have become a flashpoint for multiple social concerns and issues," said Darnall.
Current data for Kentucky shows 16.2% of teachers left the profession in 2020-21.
On average, only 83.5% of job postings were filled that year. To fill the gap, districts resort to using emergency certifications.
Officials said it's a uniform issue across the Commonwealth.
"It's usually the same conversation or similar conversation. They cannot fill certain positions. They have so many posted and have zero applicants," Darnall said.
Darnall said pay has always been a part of the equation, and there needs to be support and funding for public education.
"Unfortunately, there wasn't a statewide raise in terms of teacher salaries, and so it's up to the local level, the local school boards, to make that decision, and that's a tough spot to be in at times," he said.
Locally, Kenton County is showing a commitment to its employees.
This summer, the district enacted a 5% raise with a step of 1.6% across the district.