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Ottumwa schools propose tighter job categories, mentoring and pay tweaks to curb associate turnover and absenteeism
Summary
District staff presented data showing high turnover and sick leave among paraprofessionals and proposed specialized job categories, mentor programs, small premium pay and conversion of part‑time roles to reduce absences and improve retention.
Ottumwa Community School District administrators on Tuesday presented a package of staffing changes aimed at reducing chronic turnover and high sick‑leave among the district’s associates (paraprofessionals), saying the measures are intended to improve recruitment, retention and on‑the‑job readiness.
The district reported it employed 273 associates in 2024–25, including 74 who were first‑year hires; among returning employees there were 43 resignations, terminations or retirements (a 21.6% turnover rate). New hires who left within their first year accounted for another 20 departures (a 31.7% turnover rate for that subset). The district also reported average sick or unpaid leave ranging from about 26 hours for very part‑time associates to roughly 80–102 hours for the larger, more‑hours assignments.
District leaders said the numbers matter because many associates support students with special education needs and absenteeism or rapid turnover disrupts…
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