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Noblesville Schools reports 91.94% teacher retention, highlights mentorship and pay as retention drivers
Summary
District staff reported a 91.94% certified-teacher retention rate for 2024–25, down from 85% in 2021–22; presenters credited competitive pay, professional development, mentorship and school climate for improvements while noting special education and ELA remain areas of higher turnover.
At the board meeting, district staff presented the district’s teacher-retention measure and said the certified-staff retention rate rose to 91.94% in 2024–25. The presenter contrasted that with a 85% rate in 2021–22 and cited a decline in total departures from 105 in 2021–22 to 59 in the most recent year.
"As a district, . . . we are at a 91.94 retention rate," the presenter said, framing the figure as a district success compared with a cited national average of about 78% (source named in the presentation as Frontline Education) and a state average near 80% for 2024.
The presenter listed five primary retention drivers: compensation and benefits; working conditions and school climate; professional development and effective mentorship (including four professional-development days and an active mentor program); autonomy and voice for staff; and recognition/celebration practices. The presentation emphasized stay interviews and exit interviews as data sources the district uses to understand why staff leave and why others remain.
Board members asked clarifying questions about how transfers between buildings affect building-level retention calculations (the presenter said a teacher who moves between buildings still counts as lost for the original building but remains part of the district’s retained staff). A board member also asked whether money was the leading reason people left; the presenter answered that compensation is often cited in exit interviews, particularly among male staff who cited financial reasons for leaving.
The presentation highlighted building-level trends: Noblesville High School increased from 86.63% to 88.68% retention; East Middle School recovered to 91.86%; several elementary schools showed improvement (Stoney Creek reported a 100% year; Promise Road rose to 98%). The presenter noted special education remains the area with the most turnover but said district supports appear to have improved retention relative to state and national norms.
The board received the report as information; no formal district policy change or vote followed at this meeting. Staff said they will continue stay interviews, targeted supports and community engagement as part of their strategic planning work.
