Statewide, teacher retirements more than doubled in the weeks leading up to the start of the school year compared to the same period last summer. However, it’s unclear how many are attributed to the coronavirus pandemic since no data is collected on teachers’ reasons. According to the State Teachers Retirement System, 370 teachers submitted retirement applications between July 1 and mid-August, more than twice what it was during that time last year. The head of a Columbus teachers’ union said he thinks schools have been careful enough this year not to drive teachers out the door in large numbers in fear of their safety.