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ISD 622 reports staffing gains, new international teachers and construction progress ahead of fall start
Summary
District leaders reported improvements in staffing since mid‑August, the continued arrival of international teachers, nearly completed construction at Tartan High School, and new family resources such as bus‑tracking and vaccination clinics ahead of the first day of school.
District officials gave a broad "back-to-school" update on Aug. 19 covering staffing, enrollment, transportation and construction projects as North St. Paul‑Maplewood‑Oakdale ISD622 prepares to start classes the day after Labor Day.
Superintendent Tucci Osorio and senior staff reported that the district is close to filling vacancies. As of data published Aug. 15, the district reported about 106 open positions out of roughly 2,000 employees; staff said that number had declined in the days after the board book publication as more offers were accepted. Officials said most newly hired educators brought prior teaching experience.
The district described a staffing strategy that included hiring international teachers to help address licensed-special-education shortages. The district said 11 teachers recruited from the Philippines last year all returned this year and the district had added nine additional international hires for the 2025‑26 year; staff praised mentorship and orientation efforts to onboard them.
Transportation: district-run buses and drivers remain the primary model. Staff said the district owns the majority of its buses and employs the drivers, a structure officials credited with lower turnover than third‑party arrangements. Board members were reminded that first weeks can bring route delays while drivers and students settle into new routines; the district said families can track buses through the district’s tracking app or website and that all district buses have interior and exterior cameras. Staff also confirmed that smaller vans and special‑transport vehicles are similarly equipped and that schools will review bus video when needed.
Construction and facilities: Tartan High School’s renovation is largely complete and will open to students through the front entry this year, staff said. The district also plans an addition at Cowan Elementary to address local capacity; an additional neighborhood meeting was scheduled for the following day after a mailing delay. The district said it managed several major construction projects under budget in recent years, which made the Cowan addition possible.
Other items: the district will host a facilities open house on Oct. 2 (4–8 p.m.) to display construction progress across buildings; it also listed vaccination clinic dates and said the clinics have no cost to families. Staff reiterated that the district’s strategic plan (adopted 2024) remains the organizing framework for academic achievement, graduation readiness, safety, social-emotional learning and equity.
Board members praised staff for orientation events and welcomed the increased staffing stability. The board confirmed the first day of school is the day after Labor Day and said a fuller enrollment and staffing report will appear at the Sept. 23 board meeting.
