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Sunnyside reports nearly all classroom positions filled, 77–79 new teachers to start school year
Summary
District leaders told the governing board that nearly all classroom vacancies were filled ahead of the first day of classes, with 77–79 new teachers joining Sunnyside schools and one remaining special-education classroom vacancy.
Sunnyside Unified School District officials told the governing board they have filled nearly all classroom positions ahead of the new school year and will welcome roughly 77–79 new teachers.
Pam Benton, chief academic officer, said at the meeting that “we have 77 new teachers in our district,” and later Didi Langston Brown, a K‑8 director and professional development director, reported 79 new teachers attended orientation and detailed the mix of experience among them.
District HR and site administrators said they worked over the summer to recruit and assign staff. Kathy Sheppey provided a staffing update noting that 20 of the district’s 21 schools are filled at 100 percent in classroom positions; one school still has a special-education classroom vacancy. The district reported 43 long‑term substitutes on its roster, compared with 40 last year. Benton and Sheppey said vacancies were far fewer than the 11 vacancies reported at the same time last year.
Board members asked clarifying questions about substitute counts and vacancy distribution. Sunnyside officials said the district keeps positions posted until a certified hire is in place and that site administrators were adjusting schedules where needed to cover classroom needs.
Officials described the new teacher orientation program: 32 learning sessions led by curriculum staff and Sunnyside teachers, sessions on mandatory reporting presented by district counsel Cecily Stamps, and benefits and financial-planning briefings for staff. District leaders said they surveyed participants to shape next year’s orientation.
Clarifying details discussed at the meeting include the district’s plan to continue posting open positions until certified hires are made, the distribution of substitutes across school levels (about 10 at high school, 19 at middle school, 3 at K‑8, 11 at elementary), and the district’s aim to add certified staff where available.
District leaders said they are prepared to start the year and will report updated enrollment and vacancy numbers at future board meetings.
