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District presenters cite gains in teacher satisfaction, outline retention targets
Summary
District staff and foundation representatives presented multi‑year EPIC survey results showing gains in teacher collaboration, principal support and behavior‑support staffing, and proposed targets for walk‑throughs and collaborative professional time to bolster retention.
District presenters and volunteers gave the board a data‑driven update on recruitment and retention efforts, drawing on EPIC teacher‑survey results from 2021, 2023 and the current school year.
The presenter said the district has seen measurable gains in several survey areas compared with 2021 and relative to the Kansas average. "It's our biggest jump from 23% in the in the last 4 years..." the presenter said when describing one of the largest improvements. They highlighted a 22‑point increase in staff perception of supports for handling challenging student behaviors and noted principal support and communication improved substantially. The presenter also credited KISO plan elements, additional behavior‑intervention staffing and new positions supporting buildings for contributing to gains.
Why it matters: recruitment and retention metrics help the district target interventions (coaching, induction, compensation and staffing) at the points when teachers are most likely to leave—commonly years two through three. Presenters said the district is focused on shortening the gap between hires and retained staff and listed specific 6‑ and 12‑month targets (for example, increasing structured collaborative time and walk‑through frequency) to improve teacher retention and instructional alignment.
Discussion and next steps: board members asked for follow‑up reporting and more frequent updates. Staff said the survey runs every two years and offered to provide updated data and more detailed breakdowns by pathway and building at upcoming meetings. The presenter noted the district had conducted 956 walk‑throughs so far and proposed continuing that focus as part of the educator‑evaluation and support strategy.
The presentation framed the work as part of a district improvement plan and the Excellence/Axis Foundation’s recruitment and retention committee efforts; the board asked staff to return with additional data and implementation plans.
