District survey: nearly 89% of educators plan to return next year, leaders say

Davis School District leaders presented results of the state-required educator engagement survey, telling trustees that roughly 88.9% of respondents plan to return next year, based on about 1,300 district respondents.

Superintendent Dan Lynford and assessment director Julie Lendelli reviewed a six-year trend showing steady improvement in retention since 2022 and high retention among licensed professionals. Lynford highlighted that first-year retention is the district's most persistent challenge but noted a sustained 93% retention rate once staff pass through the first several years in the classroom.

Lendelli said the survey is administered every two years by the State Board of Education and the district can break out local results for targeted action. Board members discussed next steps including additional reporting to analyze drivers of turnover, principal leadership practices tied to retention, and the possibility of presenting a fuller breakdown in a workshop.

Trustees noted the data as positive news but emphasized continued focus on teacher supports and school-level leadership as key levers to sustain gains. The district offered to share the full slide deck and follow-up materials with trustees for further review.