Survey: Districts Brace for ‘Mass Exodus’ of School Principals in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic

A survey of more than 500 principals conducted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) found that nearly four in ten school leaders said they expect to step down within the next three years — some even sooner. And more than a third will leave the education field altogether as soon as they find a higher-paying job.

The NASSP called it a “mass exodus,” and the survey found the number even higher for principals who have been on the job for four years or less — 62 percent said they will leave within the next six years. Still, more will be retiring.

The 74 websites reported on how trying to run schools for the past two years in states with restrictive lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll.

The report cited a study that shows the lockdowns have hurt specific groups that are already at risk:

The crisis has hit principals of color, women and those leading schools with higher proportions of lower-income students and students of color particularly hard. They are more likely than their peers to experience job-related stress during the pandemic, a new RAND study found.

According to NASSP’s fall survey, 91 percent of principals were very or extremely concerned about student wellness, more than any other challenge (in comparison, mask mandates had about 51 percent very or extremely concerned). More than a third said there’s not adequate student services staff, like nurses and counselors.

Principals told The 74 the exodus may begin as early as the end of this school year. Some may want to leave mid-year but, understanding the stress it would cause for their schools, are waiting until summer break.

“For people to start saying, ‘Man, you know, I’m not ready to die. I’m not dying yet but this thing is killing me,’ really scares me,” NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe said in the report. “Because people, especially our members, don’t say that stuff. And they don’t say it lightly and they sure as heck don’t say it publicly.” – READ MORE