Board creates three 'psychologist in training' positions under federal SEEDS subaward

The Richland Dean Bossow Community School Corporation board voted at its April meeting to create three "school psychologist in training" positions, a four‑year appointment funded through a federal SEEDS subaward.

Board members debated whether the board had previously approved job descriptions for the roles and whether creating the positions now — before formal written job descriptions were presented — was appropriate. The board president asked members to "keep my questions about position and not about people," and requested that the written job descriptions used in the job posting be provided to trustees immediately.

Dr. Sanders, who presented the item, said the positions are part of a grant that pays for an education specialist degree in school psychology ("about 63 to 67 hours," as described in the meeting) and covers tuition; the grant term is four years. Sanders said the district intended the positions to be temporary, grant‑funded roles that keep the employees on district payroll during training rather than creating a resignation scenario.

Board members pressed practical details: whether the positions were advertised corporation‑wide (Sanders said the posting was on the district site and on Nimble and that eight applicants applied), whether some coursework would occur during the day, and what would happen if a trainee left the program early. Sanders said federal grant liaisons typically work with districts to find alternatives if trainees drop out and that the district has seen flexibility on prior grants.

Trustees also raised long‑term staffing questions: the district may not be able to absorb all trainees into permanent school‑psychologist vacancies when the grant ends, and Sanders said there is no promise the exact same classroom position would be available, though returning employees would remain district employees and would be handled under normal personnel rules.

A motion to create three positions was made and seconded; after brief additional discussion the motion carried. The board recorded an affirmative voice vote ('Aye'). Members asked that the job posting/description used for hiring be brought to the board as a record and for clarification of how the roles will be staffed during and after the grant period.

Next steps: administrators will provide the job description used in the posting to trustees and proceed with onboarding under the parameters described at the meeting.