Todd County Schools Superintendent Unveils Career Tech Expansion, Substitute Teacher Solution

Jessica Addison shares district's five-year plan and student-led initiative to address substitute teacher shortage

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:01am

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In a meeting with the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, Todd County Schools Superintendent Jessica Addison discussed the district's plans to expand career and technical education offerings, including new pathways in automotive, diesel mechanics, and welding. Addison also shared a student-led solution to the district's substitute teacher shortage, involving the creation of a recruitment video.

Why it matters

As school districts across Kentucky grapple with workforce development and staffing challenges, Todd County's proactive approach to expanding career-focused programming and empowering students to solve problems demonstrates innovative strategies that could serve as a model for other communities.

The details

Addison said Todd County Central High School students currently have access to workforce development pathways at the Logan County Career and Technical Center, as well as an advanced manufacturing and technology center closer to home. The most popular pathway is agriculture, but Addison hopes to expand offerings in high-demand fields like automotive, diesel mechanics, and welding. To address a shortage of substitute teachers, Addison worked with her student advisory council to create a recruitment video that has helped fill open positions.

  • Addison has been Superintendent of Todd County Schools for the past six weeks.
  • The district is in the middle of developing a five-year plan for the first time.
  • The student-led substitute teacher recruitment video was created recently.

The players

Jessica Addison

First-year Superintendent of Todd County Public Schools and a native of the county.

Todd County Public Schools

The school district serving students in Todd County, Kentucky, which is working to expand career and technical education offerings.

South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council

The regional economic development organization that hosted the meeting where Addison shared her district's plans.

Logan County Career and Technical Center

The vocational school where Todd County Central High School students currently take some career-focused courses.

Hopkinsville Community College

The local community college that offers an 'Early College' program and dual-credit courses for high school students in Todd County.

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What they’re saying

“Over the last six weeks, I have been in considerable contact with teachers, staff, students and constituents developing the district's five-year plan — something that didn't readily exist — and I said automotive and diesel mechanic pathways, as well as welding, are among some of the most requested for local supports.”

— Jessica Addison, Superintendent, Todd County Public Schools

“Local industries have been requesting students be more prepared in soft skills — like written and interpersonal communication, timeliness, dependability, money management, social etiquette and more — so they are more work ready and responsible.”

— Jessica Addison, Superintendent, Todd County Public Schools

“Brainstorming led to the creation of a recruitment video. And away, she said, they went with it.”

— Jessica Addison, Superintendent, Todd County Public Schools

“It is a school's job to 'create space' for students to shine, and supports to shine, and that regional leaders should 'keep showing up for kids,' because 'they will surprise you.'”

— Jessica Addison, Superintendent, Todd County Public Schools

What’s next

The Todd County School Board will review and approve the district's new five-year plan, which includes the expanded career and technical education offerings, in the coming months.

The takeaway

Todd County's proactive approach to workforce development and student empowerment serves as a model for how school districts can partner with local industries and economic development organizations to prepare the next generation for in-demand careers, while also leveraging student creativity to solve pressing challenges like substitute teacher shortages.