Superintendent recommends, board approves Julie Warren as HR coordinator after summer hiring push

The Ellington Board of Education voted Aug. 27 to appoint Julie Warren as coordinator of human resources, effective Aug. 27. The appointment followed Warren's summer report on recruitment and onboarding. Warren told the board the district filled all certified vacancies for the coming year, including 11 elementary positions and three preschool teachers, and added one new middle-school teacher and three new high-school teachers. She said special-education staffing was a major summer focus: the special-education team reviewed more than 130 applications and hired 27 full-time paraprofessionals in time for the start of the school year, though about 10 to 11 vacancies remained because of recent resignations. Warren also reported two year-long long-term substitutes had been hired to cover FMLA leaves. Superintendent Dr. Nicholl praised Warren's onboarding work and recommended her appointment; the board moved, seconded and approved the appointment by voice vote (“Aye”). The human-resources report also noted the district welcomed Patrick O'Neil as incoming director of athletics and wellness and that Aaron Fliss, director of information technology, will resign in October. Warren said the wellness committee will meet soon to coordinate with the new athletic director and that central-office staff provided extra support while she stepped into the coordinator duties for the summer. The motion to appoint Warren as HR coordinator passed unanimously.