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Superintendent reports staffing shortages, bus purchase plans and personnel changes at Bethel Local
Summary
The superintendent told the Bethel Local School Board the district is short on substitute teachers and staff, is buying one new bus and two used spares, and reported several personnel changes and hires; she also asked the board to approve renewals including a testing coordinator and a propane contract estimate.
The superintendent reported to the Bethel Local School Board that the district continues to face a shortage of substitute teachers and is filling gaps with regular staff while actively recruiting drivers and teachers through channels including LinkedIn.
"We still can't get enough subs recovered," the superintendent said, adding the district is covering assignments with in‑house staff and is pursuing hiring for drivers and teachers.
She told the board the district will purchase one new bus (funds already appropriated) and plans to acquire two used buses quickly to provide spare capacity. "It's already been through EPC...money's already been appropriated for that," she said, and added the used vehicles would be obtained rapidly to create a spare fleet.
The superintendent explained the district will use a payment‑in‑lieu of transportation approach for some students who live in the district but attend other schools, saying the district may deem busing "impractical" in some cases and pay families instead. She said she attached ODE guidance on minimum and maximum payment amounts for board reference and will add details to the packet.
The report also covered personnel changes: Tristan Woods was hired to replace Vicky Combs (an ESCA role), two previously accepted aides (Rayla and Britney) rescinded offers before starting, and Jesse Nichols submitted a resignation from his high‑school media aide assignment. The superintendent said the district remains short one fifth‑grade aide and will continue recruitment.
Board members asked clarifying questions about individual contract hour changes (for example, a requested increase from four to six hours for one employee); the superintendent said she would verify the specifics and return with the precise figures.
The superintendent asked the board to approve routine renewals on the consent agenda, including adding Sunny Pandell to the ESC substitute list and approving Mary Anne to serve as testing coordinator (responsible for ACT and district testing). She also previewed a technology presentation by Jason Cook and said the board will recognize student Jasmine Thompson for All‑State choir with framed certificates.
The superintendent said an annexation discussion will be scheduled to present demographics, staffing needs and facility implications and to seek direction from the board.
The board did not take additional formal votes on most of these items during the discussion; items requiring formal approval were placed on the consent agenda or scheduled for a future meeting for more detailed action.
