Lauren Boettcher, spokeswoman for Lakota Local Schools, said the district’s highest need for support staff is custodial positions, both part-time and full-time.
The district is also seeking part-time instructional aides and cafeteria cashiers, servers and lunch attendants, Boettcher said. Substitutes for any support position always is a critical need for the district, she said.
“Unlike teaching staff, who are brought on mostly during the summer months, hiring for support staff is done on a rolling basis and is more of a year-round effort, so it’s difficult to put a number on it,” she said. “Over the last two years, we’ve had to fill roughly 100 support positions for the next school year.”
With the changes to the SERS retirement system taking effect this year, “we’re likely to see slightly higher numbers going into next school year,” Boettcher said.
“We anticipate a slightly larger turnover this year, mainly because more of our veteran staff will be reaching retirement, in accordance with the changes to the retirement system,” she said.
Chad Konkle, Hamilton’s assistant superintendent of human resources, said the district is in need of cafeteria workers, bus drivers, bus aides, special education aides and crossing guards. The school district also is looking for substitutes in all of these areas.
Konkle said it’s “hard to predict” how many positions the district will need to fill for the coming school year.
Tom Weiser, director of business operations for Fairfield City Schools, said the district is always in need of substitute bus drivers, custodians, food service and educational assistants, and also hires permanent positions in the same areas.
“At this point, the total number (of necessary hires) is not known,” Weiser said. “As the school year comes to a close, we’ll have a better idea.”
Each district said there is not high turnover in their respective district, “but with so many positions, there are always bound to be a few open at any given time,” Weiser said.
Boettcher said Lakota will often find ways to retain staff who wish to move from a part-time position to a full-time position, “which is always our goal with quality staff.”
She said above all else that any person seeking employment with Lakota should have a passion for working with youth.
“That is the core of what we do and every position supports that mission,” she said. “In addition, we’re always seeking out candidates who are responsible, driven, and customer service-oriented, meaning they genuinely care about their work and the children and families we serve each and every day.”
For some positions, certain certifications and experience are also necessary, Boettcher said.
All staff are required to pass a background check as well, she said. Open positions and requirements can be found at www.lakotaonline.com/employment.
Konkle said Hamilton City Schools looks for someone who is “dependable, (with a) positive attitude, (someone who is) hardworking, self motivated, gets along with others, (has) great attendance and loves children.”
Weiser said Fairfield positions are considered civil service positions, although not all candidates are required to test for open positions.
“The custodial positions, for example, are tested positions,” he said. “In addition, we require fingerprinting and a background check. We want to find people who are good around children and who are reliable.
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