As Superintendent of Youngstown City School District, one of my most important responsibilities is ensuring we have a strong, stable, and committed teaching force for our scholars.
Every teacher matters, and every departure—whether due to retirement or resignation—has an impact. That’s why I want to share some important data with you about teacher exits in our district and what it tells us about the health of our workforce and our future direction.
Over the last four school years, we've carefully tracked teacher resignations and retirements. Here’s what we’ve found:
Teacher Departures Are Down Significantly
In the 2021–22 school year, we experienced 86 teacher exits. In each of the past three years, that number has decreased to between 50 and 53. That’s a 38% reduction in departures—an encouraging sign of greater stability across our schools.
Fewer Resignations
One of the most encouraging indicators is the significant decrease in resignations among our teachers—from 76 voluntarily leaving in 2021–22 to just 36 in 2024–25. This remarkable 53% reduction highlights that more of our educators are choosing to remain with us, which is a testament to the positive culture, robust support systems, and clear vision we are collaboratively fostering across YCSD. It’s a clear sign that we are building a strong and united community dedicated to our scholars and each other!
Retirements
We have observed a steady increase in retirements, from 10 in 2021–22 to 15 in the past year. This trend highlights the natural aging of our workforce and emphasizes the importance of being proactive in recruiting and training the next generation of educators, especially in high-demand subject areas.
What Does This Mean for YCSD?
This data highlights the positive trajectory of our district. While there is still work ahead, we are successfully retaining more teachers, fostering an environment conducive to professional growth, and establishing ourselves as a place where educators are eager to build their careers.
The findings also illuminate areas for focused improvement:
Retention:
We are committed to enhancing teacher wellness, mentorship opportunities, and ongoing professional development.
Recruitment:
With an increase in retirements, we are prioritizing the cultivation of our teacher pipeline to ensure that our students consistently receive high-quality instruction.
Reflection:
By analyzing exit interviews, we aim to gain deeper insights into how we can enhance every facet of the teacher experience. Together, these strategies will help Youngstown City Schools continue to create an inspiring and supportive educational environment.
As we move forward, I am proud of the progress we’ve made—and I remain committed to strengthening our team for the benefit of our scholars. Together, we are building something special in Youngstown. Thank you to all of our educators who continue to Defend the “Y” with passion, excellence, and heart.
With pride and purpose,
Jeremy J. Batchelor
Superintendent, Youngstown City School District