In education, challenges often begin long before a teacher steps into a classroom. Recruiting and retaining the right people has become one of the greatest tests facing school districts nationwide, and Galesburg CUSD 205 is no exception. But thanks to the vision and teamwork of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Student Supports Mindi Ritchie, alongside HR colleagues Cindy Benson and Megan Kane, the district is turning those challenges into opportunities.

Ritchie arrived in HR three years ago, after a career that wound through counseling, administration, and leadership at the district’s alternative school during the pandemic. She quickly recognized that teacher shortages and geographic competition meant Galesburg would need to rethink how it supported its people. “Post-pandemic, we’re all trying to do more with fewer resources,” she says. “We had to be creative in how we can best meet our educators’ needs so that they can best serve our students.”

That meant shifting HR’s culture away from compliance-only work and toward what Ritchie calls a “customer service” model. From the start, she worked with the Board of Education, the Galesburg Education Association, and her team to frame HR as the front line of retention. “When you care for people, they feel valued — and they stay,” she explains.

For longtime HR team member Cindy Benson, that philosophy has meant pursuing every possible advantage for new hires. “My main goal is to get them as much money as I possibly can.” Whether it’s verifying past service years, digging into state records, or evaluating credits from prior coursework, Benson treats each case like a puzzle worth solving. “I’ll call schools directly; whatever I need to do,” she explains. “It makes a big difference.” She also oversees substitutes and makes sure each one is placed where they can thrive, turning potential gaps into growth opportunities.

Megan Kane, who came to the district after a career in health care and time as a school secretary, adds another layer of care. She manages benefits, access, and the countless small but otherwise stressful details that can make or break an employee’s day. “Keys, IDs, insurance—those things matter,” Ritchie notes. “If you can’t get into your building, there’s a feeling attached to that. Megan makes sure people feel cared for.” Her background in health care shows in her approach: empathy and compassion at the center of every interaction.

Together, the team has introduced initiatives that have reshaped the employee experience. The Shine in 205 recognition program highlights outstanding staff through nominations, surprise visits, and board presentations. The annual Choose to Thrive in 205 professional development day brings staff together for wellness, learning, and community—offering everything from yoga to stress management to mocktail-making. Attendance has quadrupled since its first year, with 400 staff members participating this past March.

These changes are producing measurable results. In 2021, the district had 11 long-term substitutes filling classrooms. Today, that number has dropped dramatically, as more certified teachers are placed where they’re needed most. The cost savings are significant, but the real value lies in student achievement. “Teacher attrition is super expensive,” Ritchie emphasizes. “But more importantly, fully certified teachers unlock student potential in a way that subs simply can’t.”

For taxpayers, that’s the ultimate return: students learning from the best. And for educators, it’s a clear message that Galesburg wants them here—and wants them to succeed. “The majority of what we’ve done costs nothing,” Ritchie notes. “It’s about mindset. It’s about service. And it’s about care.”

That philosophy—rooted in customer service, compassion, and persistence—has turned the HR office into something far greater than paperwork and compliance. It has become a place where educators feel seen, valued, and supported. “We’re not just filling positions,” Ritchie says. “We’re building a culture.”

And in Galesburg, that culture is proving contagious.