Districts face staffing shortages and financial challenges
Across rural America, many school districts depend on international educators to fill teaching gaps. In Hardin, Montana — a small town east of Billings — about 30 of the district’s 150 teachers are working under temporary J-1 visas. These educators play a crucial role in maintaining classroom continuity in communities where local recruitment is increasingly difficult.
A recent federal proposal, however, has raised new concerns. The plan introduces a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application, a cost that district administrators say would be unsustainable. Tobin Novasio, superintendent of Hardin Public Schools, explained that none of his teachers earn that amount annually, making the fee prohibitive for public education budgets.
This policy shift jeopardizes rural districts’ long-term efforts to transition teachers from short-term cultural exchange visas to longer-term employment visas that allow for stability and retention.
Uncertain future for international teaching programs
The J-1 visa program requires educators to return to their home countries every few years, creating recurring vacancies that are hard to fill. Earlier this year, a temporary suspension of J-1 visa interviews further complicated recruitment efforts.
Education advocacy groups have urged the Department of Homeland Security to consider exemptions for school systems, arguing that the new costs could have unintended consequences for public education.
Additionally, the administration’s proposal to prioritize higher-wage earners in the H-1B visa process poses another challenge. With the average teacher salary in Montana at approximately $58,600, educators would likely fall far below the income levels favored by the new criteria.
In response, districts like Hardin are working to develop local teaching pipelines through partnerships with colleges and apprenticeship programs. Despite these initiatives, administrators emphasize that international teachers remain vital to the functioning of many rural schools — both for their expertise and their commitment to underserved communities.
