Human resources reports vacancy drop, hiring plan and delays for some international teachers

Monica Wilkes, director of human resources, told the board July 15 the district’s vacancy rate has fallen from about 22.7 percent in April to 9.8 percent and that the district anticipates hiring about 75 new teachers for the coming school year. Wilkes outlined recruitment strategies: traditional university recruitment, pathways-to-certification (teacher-ready and grow-your-own programs), non‑traditional recruiting (out-of-state and HBCU/Hispanic‑serving institution outreach) and an international teacher cultural-exchange program. She described a mix of classified and certified recruitment strategies, ongoing job fairs and partnerships with workforce organizations to broaden the candidate pool. The board asked about the status of international teachers. Superintendent Clark and staff reported July visa appointment delays affected J‑1 visa processing in June, but appointments reopened in July. Clark said about 27 of 43 international hires are expected to be on time, eight in September and a small number may arrive later; she described a three‑cohort plan and said the district will place long‑term substitutes in classrooms and guarantee their employment through the first semester to create continuity until the international teachers arrive and complete training. Wilkes said the district has implemented exit surveys, expanded recruitment territories, and established new partnerships to promote hiring. She said the district aims to reduce the vacancy rate by 25 percent for 2025–26 and described targeted pathways for classified staff, including pathways to certification and locality-based pipelines.