HR reports 335 hires this year; district targets recruits with socials and Grow Your Own programs

Liberty Public Schools’ human resources department told the board on July 22 that the district has filled 335 positions so far for the 2025–26 year, including 93 certificated positions and 80 seasonal roles. Two certificated openings remain: one early childhood classroom position and one middle school science position. Classified openings numbered 44 across seven departments. HR said its recruitment plan includes rehiring retired staff, virtual hiring fairs, attendance at community events, social-media outreach (including a new Liberty Public Schools Careers presence on LinkedIn), and continued partnerships with regional universities to support paraprofessional-to-teacher pathways. The HR director also noted continued difficulty filling special education roles and paraprofessional positions, a trend she said is consistent across metro-area districts. The district will continue professional development efforts this summer, including workplace- and Title IX-investigation training. HR reported the continuation of the “aspiring classified and certificated leaders” program and scheduled Team Liberty dates for the coming school year; the district is exploring an interim facilitator for Team Liberty and said the interim could be considered for a permanent role depending on fit. Why it matters: Staffing levels affect class coverage, student services, and the district’s ability to open schools at full capacity. Targeted recruitment strategies and Grow Your Own pipelines are key to filling hard-to-staff roles. What the board decided: No vote was required; HR will continue recruitment and report back. Board members praised recruiter efforts and asked HR to continue outreach at back-to-school events.