Knox County Schools has started the 2026-27 school year with only six teacher vacancies, spokesperson Carly Harrington told Knox News.
This is the lowest vacancy rate the district has seen in several years.
Last year, KCS had seven teacher vacancies at the start of school. In 2024, it had 62 on the first day.
Superintendent Jon Rysewyk said Aug. 11 the change is because of the district's investment in teachers.
"We want to preserve the classrooms as much as we can," Rysewyk said. "We're under 10 (vacancies) for the third year in a row for teachers. And that's a huge deal. We've got to continue to pay our teachers."
The current vacancies aren't concentrated in one school or area of the district. Here are where KCS is hiring for a teacher:
- Amherst Elementary
- Bearden High
- Bearden Middle
- Cedar Bluff Elementary
- Mooreland Heights Elementary
- Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy
KCS struggled for years to staff its classrooms by the first day of school. Nearly 160 classrooms went without a teacher days before beginning the 2023-24 school year. Many of the open positions were high school math and special education teachers. The district continued hiring throughout the school year, and in January 2024, vacancies were down to 129.
Under Rysewyk, KCS has streamlined the hiring process, increased minimum salaries and conducted compensation studies to remain competitive. Starting this summer, $50,000 is the new teacher salary minimum thanks to a state mandate.
There are hundreds of other open positions in KCS, which are online at knoxschools.munisselfservice.com. Many of the openings are special education aides and assistant coaches.
Caitlyn Meisner is the K-12 education reporter for Knox News. Email tips and story ideas to caitlyn.meisner@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Schools has this few teacher vacancies - a first in years
