East Chicago schools credit new applicant‑tracking tools for marked hiring gains
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Summary
District HR said an applicant‑tracking system adopted in 2023 helped double applicant volume year‑over‑year and enabled principals to fill vacancies faster; trustees pressed HR on background checks and digitizing decades of personnel files.
Dr. Stacy McJunkins, director of human resources for the School City of East Chicago, told trustees on Jan. 13, 2026, that the district’s adoption of the Nimble applicant‑tracking system has substantially increased candidate flow and given principals direct access to applicants.
“Near since the implementation of Nimble in 2023, SEC consistently increased the number of applicants applying for roles,” McJunkins said during an annual People Department update. She said the district “more than doubled its applicant volume” in 2025 compared with 2024 and that nearly 80% of the district’s applicant pool for the 2026 hiring season came through Nimble’s job‑board integrations.
The presentation included several data points the HR team said illustrate progress: more than 5,000 job‑board visitors in the most recent three‑month window and a reported 95% vacancy‑fill rate for teaching positions by the start of the 2026 school year. HR staff also projected 23 total vacancies for the 2026 school year, nine of which they listed as classroom teacher openings.
“Hiring managers are empowered when they take ownership of hiring through Nimble,” Joseph Guardiola, HR benefits coordinator, said, describing filters and screening tools that let principals sort applicants and schedule interviews directly.
Trustees used the presentation’s Q&A to press HR on procedural safeguards. Trustee Gomez asked whether the district calls former employers to ask whether a candidate is eligible for rehire. Guardiola replied that reference checks are standard but that former employers are legally limited to verifying dates of employment, job title and salary; employers generally may not disclose reasons for termination. He said a “do not rehire” remark would trigger a follow‑up inquiry by HR.
Trustees also raised records‑security concerns after staff acknowledged older personnel files remain in boxes in the district gym. McJunkins said the district is working with Strategic Solutions (Leila Simmons) on a multi‑year plan to scan records, securely destroy unneeded paper documents and retain digital ownership of the files.
The HR team outlined next steps that include rolling out Nimble Connect for principals, continuing substitute‑placement partnerships, and exploring digital tools to streamline onboarding and policy documents. The presentation concluded with an invitation for trustees to request more detailed invoice or audit information if they needed it for review.
The board did not take separate action on the report; the update will inform upcoming personnel and procurement decisions.