LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As summer break continues, school districts across Kentucky are working diligently to fill dozens of vacancies in teaching and support positions before the upcoming school year begins.
The state has seen significant teacher turnover and burnout, trends that have been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, districts like Hardin County Schools are actively recruiting for both certified teaching roles and non-teaching positions such as bus drivers, office clerks, and custodial staff.
To attract candidates, Hardin County Schools is offering competitive salaries, benefits, and retention bonuses. “The new way to recruitment is retention,” said LaToya Alston, director of employment for Hardin County Schools. She emphasized that adequate staffing helps distribute workloads evenly among employees, reducing burnout and ensuring students receive the support they deserve.
Maria Ling, a veteran elementary school teacher entering her seventh year in education, is one of the candidates applying for a teaching position in the district. Although new to Kentucky, Ling expressed the importance of filling staffing roles quickly, noting that “just one year can make so much of a difference” in shaping students’ futures. “I’m creating future lawyers, future doctors, future nurses and firefighters,” she said. “I just want to be able to say, ‘Hey, I had an input in that one little year.’”
Similarly, Rachel Smith, an applicant for an instructional assistant role, highlighted the need for consistency in schools. “I think consistency is so important,” she said, explaining that students thrive when there is stability in staffing.
The safety and training coordinator for Hardin County bus drivers, Paul Moran, noted the strain on employees when staffing levels are low. “When multiple employees call off, then all the alternates are driving, it’s rough on them,” Moran said, underscoring the importance of sufficient coverage to maintain student safety and well-being.
Staffing challenges are widespread throughout Kentucky, with Jefferson County Public Schools—the state’s largest district—reporting approximately 300 teacher vacancies each year. The Kentucky Department of Education has attributed this high turnover to student behavior issues and other job-related stressors affecting both teachers and bus drivers.
To combat these challenges, districts are implementing financial incentives. Jefferson County Public Schools now offers starting pay of $29 per hour for bus drivers and a $2,000 signing bonus for those who already hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Hardin County Schools has also raised pay by 6% and provides a $500 bonus to new staff members who complete a full year of employment.
As districts prepare for the next school year, officials remain focused on ensuring schools are fully staffed and capable of providing students with a stable, supportive learning environment.
