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Page County schools report positive staffing outlook, job-fair hires and education pipelines
Summary
Human resources presented staffing intent responses, a summary of recruitment activity including 47 interviews at a regional fair, and local pipeline programs with JMU and ITeach to train and retain teachers.
The Page County School Board heard an update on staffing and recruitment on Feb. 13 from Doctor Johnson, director of human resources and business operations.
Johnson said 579 employees completed intent-to-stay/leave forms in early January to help the division plan for 2025–26. Of those respondents, 23 reported plans to resign or retire at year end; Johnson clarified that the 23 figure covered all positions, not only teachers. As of the Feb. 13 meeting the division had four confirmed teacher resignations and three confirmed retirements for the end of the school year.
Recruitment work included two recent job fairs. Johnson said a Bridgewater College event yielded contact with 18 prospective candidates and the Shenandoah Valley teacher recruitment fair produced 47 interviews the division conducted that day; administrators returned with contact data for other candidates observed at the fair.
To build a local teacher pipeline, Johnson described ongoing partnerships with James Madison University and Laurel Ridge: nine employees presently have education fully funded through those programs and the division held an interest meeting with 13 additional employees for seven upcoming funded slots. Johnson also described ITeach, an 18‑month program the state offers that can produce provisional licensure in months and a full license in about 18 months; seven staff members were in early stages of that pathway.
Board members asked when students learn about postsecondary or scholarship opportunities such as the JMU pathway; Johnson said counselors include the information in college and scholarship meetings for juniors and seniors. The director characterized the January intent data and the recruitment activity as a “positive outlook” for next year while noting the division will still post vacancies as resignations and retirements are finalized.
Johnson also told the board the division has already approved several internal transfers and that staffing needs identified from intent forms (for example, middle-school math and science) will shape upcoming hiring plans.
