Board approves personnel report; district cites fewer hires, growth in apprenticeship and fewer long-term subs

The Geary County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the personnel report, with the motion passing 5–0.

District staff told the board that several schools are near capacity: John City Middle School and John City High School are nearly full, and Fort Riley Road School has only one vacancy in the strategy position listed. The district reported an improved hiring picture for certified staff: "We're gonna have less than a 100 hires," one staff member said, down from "115 to 130 plus" in previous years.

Staff said part of the improvement reflects local efforts to retain and support new teachers. One staff member credited building administrators and mentor programs, saying administrators "have put in some good support plans in place for the new teachers" and noting the district's effort to "grow your own" candidates. The transcript records that the district added four positions to a registered future apprenticeship program, expanding participation from one this past fall to an expected five this fall.

The board approved the personnel reports on a motion and second; the transcript records the formal vote as "Motion passes 5 to 0."