District reports 99.3% of educator positions filled as school year begins

Human Resources staff told the Green Bay Area Public School District Board on Aug. 25 that the district is effectively fully staffed as the new school year begins. HR presenter Mike Fries said the district employs between “1,750, 1,775 educators” and reported that, at the time of the meeting, the district was “99.3% fully staffed.” He told the board that, compared with previous years when the district hired roughly 226 educators annually, this year the district has experienced higher retention and more fully certified applicants. Fries said the district was down to “single digits” of openings, with candidates still in the pipeline. Board members asked for clarity before approving the consent agenda, which included employment of certified staff. After the HR update, the board approved the consent agenda by unanimous vote. Fries also noted increased interest from applicants: last year just under 30% of positions drew 10 or more applicants; this year the share exceeded 40%. Why it matters: Staffing levels affect class assignments and the district’s ability to start the school year without emergency staffing measures. The board’s consent agenda motion to approve listed employment items was moved, seconded and carried unanimously; Kinsey (meeting staff) announced the online voting results. No specific names of newly hired teachers were discussed in the public portion beyond the consent approval.