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The unusual event is the latest visible sign of the growing competitiveness between public school systems when it comes to soliciting job candidates.
“This definitely isn’t something you see too often in K-12 education, but it’s a new approach we’re taking this year to try and draw the best pool of candidates possible for a wide array of employment opportunities for both teachers and support staff,” said Lauren Boettcher, spokeswoman for Lakota Schools in Butler County.
In recent years Lakota and many other area public school systems have been hit by higher-than-normal retirement rates due to the departure of the aging Baby Boomers among its teaching and non-instructional school staffer positions.
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Lakota’s Executive Director of Human Resources Rob Kramer said, “we are committed to educating our community about just how many opportunities there are to do work that makes a difference in kids’ lives.”
Currently, Lakota’s workforce is made up of about 1,700 teachers and support staff to help meet the diverse needs of its 16,500 students from West Chester and Liberty townships.
Kramer says a wide variety of teaching and support position will be represented at the job exploration and networking event, to match the variety of openings he anticipates going into the summer hiring season.
“Our schools are a great place to introduce students to an environment that closely matches the diverse workforce they’ll enter one day,” Kramer said. “Embracing diversity, inclusion and respect is a hallmark of Lakota’s curriculum and staffing practices. We are eager to meet candidates who would like to invest in our future.”
Employment opportunities range from substitutes to full- and part-time employment, in some cases offering a more flexible work schedule for candidates seeking a second income, a fulfilling job during retirement, or any other circumstances that may require balance between work and family life.
The open house event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakota West High School, 8940 Union Centre Blvd. in West Chester, is designed to provide interested candidates with a one-stop shop for information related to a wide range of school positions available for the 2017-2018 school year.
Attendees are invited speak directly with current staff members who can help answer questions about their experience working for Lakota Schools.
“The idea is not for this to serve as an on-the-spot interview,” Kramer said. “More than anything, we want people to come with questions and leave with answers and a better understanding of the great opportunities Lakota has to offer.”
Before or after the event, interested candidates are invited to view current openings and submit an application by visiting www.lakotaonline.com/employment. Technology will also be available on site for those candidates who wish to complete an electronic application during the expo.
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