Bismarck Superintendent Addresses Growing Staffing Pressures
“We probably don’t have the level of vacancies that I hear from some of my Class ‘B’ brothers and sisters out there, but we also know, it’s taking additional work and time to fill those vacancies we have, than we did in the past. And we also know we’re seeing a lot less applicants, as our applicant pools are shrinking,” said Bismarck School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Fastnacht.
That snapshot of local classrooms reflects a broader strain on public education, where shrinking candidate pools force districts to work harder just to maintain basic staffing levels. A recent report from the state’s Department of Public Instruction highlights ongoing teacher vacancies and persistent hiring difficulties across multiple local school districts.
Special Education Faces the Steepest Hurdles
Fastnacht pointed to significant hiring challenges specifically within special education programs.
“People coming out of college with that degree or that interest is shrinking,” Fastnacht said. He noted that the cumulative fatigue and demanding daily environment take a heavy toll. “You also see fatigue. You see the challenges of being a teacher that works with that population, and the stresses of that. Or even middle-of-career teachers are saying, ‘I just can’t do it anymore.'”
Those pressures leave mid-career educators looking for exits just as fewer graduates enter the pipeline. The combination creates a compounding deficit that schools must manage alongside normal operational demands.
Looking to State Lawmakers for Legislative Solutions
Relief could arrive from state funding proposals scheduled to land in front of lawmakers in 2027. Fastnacht expressed support for utilizing resources from the Common Schools Trust Fund to establish recruitment and retention bonuses for educators.
The education sector faces stiff competition from other fields offering substantial recruitment incentives. Fastnacht drew a direct comparison to health care recruitment:
When our young people are leaving high school, and they see bonuses health care gives to young people when they’re leaving college, and one-time bonuses of $20,000 to $25,000 to come be a nurse, or work in those fields, it’s hard to compete. We’ve never done that for students who want to teach. The state taking that on? Great.
Beyond targeted bonuses, district leaders argue that broader funding mechanisms remain essential. Fastnacht emphasized that state legislators must also increase per-pupil payments to support all personnel across school districts, ensuring comprehensive operational backing.
