Saline Area Schools reports 80 new hires, district lists roles and counts

Saline Area Schools announced that 80 new employees joined the district this summer, with the majority able to start by Aug. 20, district officials said at the regular Board of Education meeting.

District representatives said the new hires span classroom teachers, related-service staff, paraprofessionals and support roles. The hires were welcomed at a new-staff orientation in August; 42 of the new employees attended that session, and the district plans an alternative orientation date in October for others who could not attend.

School officials provided a position-by-position breakdown during the meeting. The district reported 28 new teachers; three speech-language pathologists; six occupational therapists; one teacher consultant; one multi‑tier system of supports staff member; one board-certified behavior analyst; 18 paraprofessionals; two custodians; three literacy tutors; three transportation employees; one administrative assistant; one CTE technician; three Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) staff (including a new GSRP leader); two 1-to-1 nurses; three Young 5 aides; three office staff; and one superintendent (listed as part of the roster presented).

Board members thanked human-resources staff and building principals for the hiring work. The district said four women in the Department of Human Resources played a principal role in ensuring most new staff could begin work by the August start date.

Administrators said the new staff are expected to support teaching and learning across the district and that the district will continue onboarding activities into the fall. The board noted it will host additional welcome or orientation events so staff who could not attend the August session can be included.