With the school year fast approaching, at least 3,743 K-12 education jobs remain vacant in Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Education’s job listings. That number includes over 2,300 teaching positions and at least 59 positions in the Monroe County Community School Corporation.
This level isn’t normal, but the rapid growth of vacancies is even more surprising. Just five months ago, the Department of Education listed 852 open jobs statewide. Indiana has one of the lowest teacher retention rates in the country, which Indiana teachers have attributed to increasing scrutiny from parents, restrictive legislation on school curricula and state funding cuts. Indiana teachers also earn less than their neighbors, with an average annual salary lower than teachers in Illinois, Michigan, or Kentucky.
Justin Oakley, a representative for the American Federation of Teachers in Indiana, traces the crisis to former state superintendent Tony Bennett and the pressure by lobbyists for privatization.
“This all started with, ‘teachers were bad, we had to get rid of the bad teachers,’ when Tony Bennett was superintendent. We had to revolutionize and change and give choice and all this stuff,” Oakley said. “Here we are 15 years later and Indiana ranks at the bottom in just about every category.
Former Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick tweeted Monday about the shortage, blaming the staffing crisis on over 15 years of “really bad” policy.
Just weeks away from the start of school, 3700+ Indiana education job openings still exist. Never doubt the impact of this crisis on Indiana’s future. 15+ yrs of really bad PK-12+ policy ➡️ consequences. Time for leadership change. Kids First. Always. — Jennifer McCormick (@suptdrmccormick) July 25, 2022
Read more: Indiana’s teacher shortage has some schools scrambling
Oakley wants Indiana to invest some of its $7 billion surplus to solve the teaching crisis.
“At some point Hoosiers are going to have to figure this out before there’s nobody left to teach and there’s no schools open for your kids,” Oakley said.
The 2022-2023 MCCSC school year starts Aug. 3, leaving little time to fill open positions before students return.
