Marion County schools outline recruitment, retention push under Achieve 2026 Goal 3

Marion County School District human resources leaders on Sept. 18 presented updates on Achieve 2026 Goal 3 — talent management — showing targets and new programs aimed at increasing certified in-field teachers and raising retention across district staff.

The presentation, led by Wontanesha Morant, executive director of human resources, and Melissa Connor, executive director of K–12 academics, outlined outcome metrics the district will use through 2026 and new recruiting, marketing and professional-learning initiatives to reach them.

Why it matters: District officials said teacher effectiveness and staffing stability are central to student outcomes, and they submitted specific percentage targets and operational steps aimed at making Marion County Public Schools more competitive in hiring and retention.

Key targets and strategies - Certification: The district said its baseline for in-field certified classroom teachers is 92% and set a target of 97% by 2026; staff described increased guidance, pathways and partnerships with the College of Central Florida and CareerSource to help out-of-field teachers become certified. - Retention: Human resources reported a 2021 baseline retention rate of 89% for instructional personnel and set a 94% target by 2026. The district also reported a baseline retention rate…