North Clackamas reports hiring gains and stronger retention in HR update

At its October meeting, the North Clackamas School District Board of Directors received an update from Human Resources showing recent hiring and improved staff retention.

Chief of Human Resources and Business Services Michelle Bridal introduced the presentation and Dr. Joe Bridgeman, associate director of licensed staffing, said the district had hired 144 licensed staff as of Oct. 1, of whom 85 were new to the district and 59 were re-hires. "We have hired a 144 new staff," Bridgeman said. He compared that to 155 licensed hires the prior year (90 new, 60 rehired).

The presentation also covered employment shifts and separations. Bridgeman reported HR processed about 349 employment shifts (transfers, title or FTE changes, resignations and retirements) in the most recent cycle and said voluntary separations were down compared with prior years. He cited 84 retirements/resignations in the 2024-25 school year versus 108 in 2023-24.

John Brooks, interim associate director of classified staffing, said the district hired 91 new classified employees and processed just over 290 employment shifts this period, with many hires in instructional support, administrative support and operations such as nutrition and custodial services. Brooks noted strong hiring in transportation: "We've hired 7 new bus drivers who are already licensed and taking routes," he said, and added there were drivers in training and bus aides being onboarded.

Will Ruhle, director of human resources, described targeted recruitment tactics that the district credited for the hires: earlier posting of pool positions for hard-to-fill roles (special education, dual-language), letters of intent to candidates, internship-to-hire pipelines for school psychologists, and in-person recruitment events. Ruhle said the district’s career fair at Clackamas Community College drew about 140 candidates and produced 42 screening interviews.

Ruhle also described a partnership with ESS, the district’s substitute staffing contractor, which HR said increased substitute fill rates from about 75% to about 90% year over year. Presenters reported a roughly 98% fill rate for licensed positions and about 79% for classified roles at the time of the report.

Board members asked questions during the presentation. Director Kemp asked how many student teachers the district typically hosts; Ruhle said the district usually averages "within the twenties" and offered to provide an exact count. Director Olsen asked how recruitment events are publicized; Ruhle listed Facebook, district communications (podcasts and videos), Spotify advertising and ParentSquare. Director Wachter praised the diversity gains and high retention, noting the district’s licensed retention "crests, like, plus 90" compared with a cited national average of 84% (2021-22) provided by presenters.

Bridgeman said the district sends exit interviews to departing employees and reported response rates of about 24% from licensed staff and 14% from classified staff so far, which HR uses to guide improvements in pay, professional development and other areas.

No board action was requested or taken on the HR report; it was provided for information and questions. The board approved a separate consent agenda earlier in the meeting.