The Hood River County School District is continuing its search to fill vacant positions, particularly bus drivers, custodians, kitchen staff, instructional assistants, and substitute teachers.  District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says most school districts are in the same situation, and there are a number of reasons why, including limited child care availability, and retired teachers who would normally be available to substitute but not wanting to return during the pandemic.  Polkinghorn did say vaccine mandates are more of a side issue than a driver of the employment shortage, adding over 99 percent of district staff is either vaccinated or have received some kind of exemption.