LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- School may be out for summer, but districts across Kentucky are actively looking to fill dozens of positions before the next school year. 

The Kentucky has seen a lot of teacher turnover and burnout, particularly since the COVID pandemic. Now some school districts are using the summer time to make up for that shortfall. 

Hardin County Schools is looking for teacher candidates, as well as candidates for positions that don't require a teaching certificate. Those positions include bus drivers, office clerks and custodial workers.

The district offers competitive pay and other benefits, including retention bonuses, according to officials.

Maria Ling, a candidate for a teaching position, said it's crucial to fill those roles, because students can feel the impacts of staffing shortages not only in the classroom, but also on the bus ride home.

"I feel like just one year can make so much of a difference," Ling said. 

Ling is entering her seventh year of teaching elementary school, but this next one could be her first in Kentucky. 

"I'm creating future lawyers, future doctors, future nurses and firefighters," she said. "I just want to be able to say, 'Hey, I had an input in that one little year.'"

Rachel Smith, who is applying for a position as an instructional assistant candidate, said she believes students need continuity.

"I think consistency is so important," she said. 

LaToya Alston, the director of employment for Hardin County Schools, said it's important to have enough staff to ensure a better distribution of workloads for employees.

"If we're short in some area, then we're having to take that energy from another teacher or from another bus driver," Alston said. "We want to make sure every student gets what they deserve."

Paul Moran, the safety and training coordinator for bus drivers, said there also needs to be enough staff to cover employees who can't make it to work. 

"When multiple employees call off, then all the alternates are driving, it's rough on them," Moran said.

Nearly every district in Kentucky is struggling with staffing shortages, including Jefferson County Public Schools, the state's largest district, which has roughly 300 teacher vacancies each school year.

The Kentucky Department of Education recently revealed student behavior and other job-related stressors have contributed to significant teacher and bus driver turnover.

That's why districts are motivating employees with signing bonuses and pay raises.

JCPS now pays bus drivers $29 an hour to start, and offers a $2,000 bonus for new drivers that already have their CDL. 

Hardin County offers a 6% raise, and a $500 bonus to new staff members who stay a full year. It's part of an effort to keep employees happy. 

"The new way to recruitment is retention," Alston said. 

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