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Linn‑Mar HR reports hiring challenges, 90 new hires this year and ongoing openings
Summary
Human-resources staff told the Linn‑Mar board the district made 90 hires this year (down from last year) and currently employs 986 people; leaders described recruitment and retention strategies including targeted outreach, onboarding activities, stay interviews and partnerships with Iowa Workforce Development.
District human‑resources staff presented an update on recruiting and retention, telling the board that post‑COVID labor market shifts and the derecho have complicated hiring while the district continues a range of onboarding and retention efforts.
Carla, the district human‑resources officer, reported the district hired 90 new employees this year, compared with a larger hire total the previous year, and currently has about 986 employees (36 fewer than the previous year). She noted persistent openings, particularly for student support associates ("usually high‑twenties, low‑thirties"), nutrition services, drivers and custodians. "We have cast a really wide net," she said, describing career fairs, targeted Facebook outreach, QR codes at buildings and partnership efforts including Iowa Workforce Development and veteran networks.
Carla described onboarding and engagement work (an upbeat staff survey, principal coaching, targeted onboarding activities and stay interviews) intended to boost retention and workplace culture. She summarized survey improvements—appreciation and work‑life balance rose—and said the district is customizing survey questions for Linn‑Mar and adding comment fields to gather qualitative feedback.
Board members asked how survey recommendations are followed up; staff said principals receive coaching calls and follow‑up rounds and that some schools run building‑level brainstorms and implementation sessions to address issues raised in the survey. Directors praised HR's work and suggested continued collaboration with peer districts and workforce partners.
The HR presentation concluded with a request for board assistance in outreach and community connections; staff asked trustees to share recruitment contacts and noted future recruitment efforts with 55+ organizations and student‑part‑time opportunities.
