In 2021-22 alone, 49 percent of schools had higher chronic teacher absenteeism and 39 percent had higher student chronic absenteeism compared to the prior school year.

Schools can choose to use the funding for a variety of purposes, including to pay teacher salaries. In June, 22% of public schools surveyed said they used the pandemic funds to create new staff ...

Lisa Harris, an algebra teacher in the district’s Patriot High School in Nokesville, said she had been teaching for 22 years and has never wanted to leave the profession.