Brian Hagberg
RUSSELL, Pa. – The first day for students for the 2023-24 school year is just about six weeks away and the Warren County School District still has 40 teaching, administration, and support staff positions to fill.
During Monday’s regular Board of Directors meeting, WCSD Superintendent Amy Stewart explained how many positions need to be filled and where the district is in the hiring process.
“Right now we have 29 open support staff positions, of those six are ESSER and will likely not be filled, leaving us with 23 that we’re looking to fill,” Stewart said. “We have 16 teaching positions and one administrative position open. I know that we have second interviews scheduled for Wednesday, and teams are still interviewing. But we still have a lot of positions to fill.”
Like many other districts, WCSD is trying to fill positions in the midst of a national certificated teacher shortage.
Stewart also gave an update on the process of familiarizing Sheffield 9 – 12 students with Warren Area High School prior to the start of school.
“(WAHS Principal Josh Vincent) has scheduled, working with Carrie Warner at Sheffield the guidance counselor there, Sheffield students in for core classes at Warren High,” Stewart said. “He’s been communicating with Sheffield students regarding summer work for honors courses that they’ve signed up for. His master schedule is created to provide as many opportunities as possible for Sheffield students to have courses with Sheffield teachers. And that is being received positively.”
Stewart added that Vincent has been preparing the WAHS master schedule with “the same goals” in mind that the board had when it made the decision to send Sheffield 9 – 12 students to WAHS for three core classes. Namely, to reduce the number of teacher preps whenever possible.
“This has been a real overhaul for that master schedule,” Stewart said. “So there are going to be some changes. But he said things are looking very encouraging as he’s dropping things into place.”
OTHER BUSINESS
- The board, with only five members – Jeff Dougherty, Kevin Lindvay, Paul Mangione, Mary Passinger, and Donna Zariczny – present, did unanimously approve the hiring of four teachers. One Spanish teacher, one Technology Education teacher, and two Health and Physical Education teachers.
- One new Athletic Director (Joe Erret at Beaty) and two new Eisenhower coaches (Loretta Pascuzzi, Volleyball; and Emily Woods, Girls’ Soccer) were also approved.
- The board approved on second reading Policy No. 7261, Employee’s Good Faith Reporting of Wrongdoing or Waste in the District (Whistleblower Policy)
- A contract with Beacon Light Behavioral Health Services Academy with an increase in cost for services
- A revised Family Services of Warren County Drug & Alcohol Intervention Services Agreement
