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Lockport Township HS District 205 approves 2025–26 licensed staffing plan, adds EL positions after state audit
Summary
The board approved the district’s 2025–26 licensed staffing plan and authorized hiring, including two additional EL/bilingual positions the district says are required after an Illinois State Board of Education ELL audit; presenters stressed a phased interview process and hiring timeline to meet enrollment and program needs.
The Lockport Township High School District 205 board voted to approve the 2025–26 licensed staffing plan, authorizing administrators to post and fill licensed positions for the coming school year. The motion to approve the staffing plan was moved by Mr. Theiss and seconded by Dr. Shaw and carried on roll call.
District presenters (Assistant Superintendent Dr. Greenan and colleagues) outlined the sectioning process that converts some 27,000 course requests into class sections and staffing needs, described a three‑phase interview and hiring procedure used to vet candidates, and said the district is proactively posting positions because of anticipated retirements and resignations. Presenters said six licensed staff reported they intend to retire at the end of the year, and several resignations have already been recorded.
A key change in the staffing request is two additional English‑learner (EL)/bilingual licensed positions. The district said those roles are needed in part because an Illinois State Board of Education ELL audit recommended co‑teaching in all four content areas; the district reported it has posted one such position and planned a second to meet both the audit requirement and increased EL enrollment.
Presenters emphasized efforts to control long‑term staffing costs while maintaining program quality: the district reported it has kept hiring cost increases to around 3% over recent years by matching new hires to staff leaving. The hiring process includes student participation on interview panels, reference checks and multi‑round interviews for final candidates.
Questions from the board focused on class‑size consequences (physical education averages were higher than some departments), whether a projected spike in seniors affected sectioning, and the district’s TRS retirement notification process (the district said staff who declare intent to retire up to four years in advance can receive incentive benefits and help the district with forecasting). Presenters said sectioning and scheduling work will continue and administrators will return with candidates of choice where appropriate.
The board approved the staffing plan during the meeting’s consent/approval vote; district staff will proceed with posting and filling positions per the approved plan and present candidate appointments for final board action as required.
