Since 2021, teacher vacancies in Richland One have more than quadrupled. When comparing Richland One to other districts, Richland One has a 22.5% higher turnover rate than districts of similar size.

Additionally, Richland One has the highest number of teacher vacancies in the state.

With less than a month before school starts back, Richland One is facing yet another staff shortage with more than 226 teacher vacancies going into the 2024-2025 school year. This means crowded classrooms and classrooms with no teachers.

Teacher recruitment and retention has long been a struggle for Richland One. Last year, the district had 148 vacancies. When it failed to adequately assign teachers before the school year began, Richland One ignited a firestorm with mid-year teacher reassignments attempting to respond to the shortage. The shortage continued to have impact towards the end of the school year, leaving children in classrooms without a teacher for months.

In May, Richland One’s administration botched an effort to keep experienced teachers when they failed to notify teachers of available retention bonuses before their contracts were due. This oversight seemed to undercut the very purpose of the bonuses.

Coming into the school year, Richland One is asking teachers to come out of retirement to fill vacancies. On its website, the district is currently advertising more than 226 certified teacher vacancies which include 79 elementary teacher vacancies, 77 middle school teacher vacancies, and 42 high school teacher vacancies.

So, how is Richland One going to fill all these vacancies and prevent teacher reassignments and empty classrooms in just 30 days? We shall see…