Superintendent: district HIB reporting in compliance; virtual job fair planned to boost hiring

Superintendent Dr. Kitchen reported to the board on required HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) reporting and staff trainings covering the July through January reporting period. "We are in full compliance with all of the required programs and trainings," Dr. Kitchen said, adding that the district initiated eight HIB investigations during the period, four of which were affirmed at the board level, and completed district- and school-level trainings and programs.

Dr. Kitchen also updated the board on a planned virtual job fair aimed at recruiting new teachers and building a pool of prospective candidates. The event will invite applicants to indicate certifications and positions of interest; the district intends to collect resumes, offer interviews at flexible times, and provide feedback on resumes and interviews to help candidates improve future applications.

Dr. Kitchen said the district will share the job-fair information with local colleges before the week is out and will recruit for both current openings and future potential hires. The superintendent said administrators, including Dan Novak and other school leaders, will support interviews and candidate feedback. The goal is to attract entry-level candidates who might begin at lower salary steps and to expand the pipeline for hard-to-fill positions.

The superintendent also noted the district's use of a recent computer science grant to expand offerings, which ties into the pathways discussion that followed. No board action was required on the HIB report or the recruitment effort at tonight's meeting.