Grand Forks Public Schools is in the process of replacing 54 employees leaving the district this year, said Assistant Superintendent Jody Thompson.
Retirement, early retirement and relocation are the reasons behind their departure, according to the district.
"Most, if not all, of those positions will be replaced," said Thompson in an email. "We will continue to monitor enrollments over the last few weeks of school and into August to determine if additional hires need to be made."
The number of teacher resignations has grown in recent years, especially the number of those taking advantage of early retirement, which benefits districts because their replacements come in earning less money. This year, 27 employees are retiring early compared with 13 in 2010, according to the district.
At a recent bargaining session for the 2016-2017 teachers contract, the chief negotiator for the Grand Forks Education Association noted the growing number of departing teachers, saying the district needs to offer higher base salaries to keep highly qualified instructors here.
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Meanwhile, the district has also created several new positions based on increased staffing needs, in part to manage anticipated enrollment growth this fall. The School Board approved at its last meeting the equivalent of 22 full-time positions, including a full-time principal for Wilder Elementary School.
Teachers, administrators resigning
Several certified staff are among those leaving this year.
Thirty-nine teachers and four administrators are leaving for reasons including retirement, up from thirty-nine teachers and two administrators last year, said Tracy Abentroth, human resources manager. In 2010-2011, 25 teachers and two administrators resigned.
Of those retiring this year, the majority, 27, are taking advantage of early retirement benefits. Nine who submitted retirement paperwork are mostly classified employees, according to the district.
This year, 100 total certified staff were eligible to retire compared with 80 or more in most years, said Abentroth.
Eighteen others have resigned, many of whom are citing relocation as the reason behind their resignation, and three employees requested a leave of absence.
"Many of the individuals resigning have cited relocation as their reason for resigning," said spokeswoman Tracy Jentz. "These positions are being reviewed for hiring replacements, some of which have already been advertised."
