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District reports strong employee‑culture scores, plans apprenticeship pilot to recruit special‑education teachers
Summary
Superintendent reported improved culture-survey results and outlined a new apprenticeship pilot that would place paid apprentices side‑by‑side with special‑education teachers; apprentices could earn scholarships of $10,000 and begin this spring.
Superintendent Rasmussen reviewed results of the district’s multi‑year employee culture survey (EAB culture survey) and announced the district will pilot an apprenticeship program to recruit and train special‑education teachers.
Rasmussen said the district’s culture survey has shown improvement since the first year, rising from a 3.78 aggregate score in year one to above 4.0 in the second cycle and similar results this year (cited as about 4.03 in presentation materials). Participation has been strong — Rasmussen said teacher participation has been above 90 percent — and the district has drilled down to school‑level data this year to focus improvement conversations with principals. Rasmussen told the board safety scored high (about 91% of employees feel safe at school) while the lowest relative areas were time and workload management, benefits, and recognition.
Rasmussen also described an apprenticeship program the district is piloting: apprentices will teach side‑by‑side with special‑education teachers, receive a $10,000 scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree, and be paid. The district also described a “pre‑apprentice” tier that would receive a $4,000 scholarship; apprentices are expected to begin this spring. The superintendent said the program is designed to grow the district’s own teaching workforce and to provide paid practicum opportunities in the district’s academy programs.
Board members asked about participation rates for education support professionals (ESPs) and about association involvement; Rasmussen said associations have been supportive and that the survey has been used to inform negotiations and staffing decisions.
Why it matters: Improved employee‑culture measures and a paid apprenticeship pathway are intended to improve retention and recruitment — especially for special education, where staffing shortages are common — which in turn affects instructional continuity for students.
Ending: The district will begin apprenticeship placements this spring and will continue to refine school‑level culture work with principals and staff.
