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Southeast Polk outlines FY26 staffing requests as enrollment growth continues
Summary
District administrators presented a fiscal year 2026 staffing plan that includes several classified and certified additions, expansion of School Administrative Managers (SAMs), and requests for more special-education and counseling staff to reduce caseloads.
District administrators presented the fiscal year 2026 staffing plan at the Jan. 9 board meeting, describing classified additions, certified staffing requests and program changes tied to enrollment growth.
Classified staffing requests included converting a part-time office secretary at Clay Elementary to full time due to building traffic, adding a part-time library clerk at the middle school so the library can remain open more hours, replacing a retired administrative assistant, and adding a special education associate to meet legally required hours in students' individualized education programs (IEPs).
On the certified side, administrators proposed additional classroom teachers at growing elementary schools (Clay and Willowbrook), converting a split elementary counselor into a full-time, single-building counselor to address rising caseloads, and multiple special-education teacher additions (including behavioral-disorder and level-1 positions) to reduce roster sizes and meet IEP obligations. The district also proposed extra stipends for middle-school music staff to cover increased concerts and programming and requested a business teacher at the junior high to teach Project Lead The Way computer essentials.
SAMs and staffing strategy: The board discussed School Administrative Managers (SAMs), which the district established by drawing internal candidates from current staff. Administrators said SAMs have been effective for attendance and building support but noted that creating SAM positions also requires filling the originating classroom openings. Trustees asked about timing and funding for expanding the SAM program; staff said they would provide cost estimates and continue to monitor hiring capacity.
Budget and hiring context: Administrators acknowledged reduced availability of one-time pandemic-era funds and said the district will need to consider the general fund and other priorities when phasing hires. Board members urged timely recruiting and noted principals' positive feedback on recently hired SAMs and other new hires.
What happens next: The staffing requests will be reviewed in ongoing budgeting and hiring cycles; many positions will proceed through standard recruitment steps if funding is approved.
