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Lockport District approves staffing plan tied to new eighth period, adding 19 licensed FTE
Summary
The board approved administration’s staffing recommendation to support an eighth-period expansion at East Campus, adding 19 licensed FTE (15 licensed staff plus 4 social workers already approved), raising licensed FTE from 275 to 294; administrators outlined hiring, costs, and class-size tradeoffs.
Lockport Township High School District 205’s board on March 16 approved a staffing plan the administration said is needed to open an eighth instructional period at East Campus next school year. The administration recommended a net increase of 19 licensed full-time equivalents (FTE): 15 additional licensed teachers across departments plus four social workers previously approved in February, moving the district’s licensed count from 275 to 294.
Superintendent Bob McBride and Dr. Greenan summarized the multi-month process that produced the recommendation: student course selection beginning in December, sectioning meetings, and an interview-and-selection pipeline that includes student panelists. "These conversations could be had in a way where they can talk about the choices they have," Dr. Greenan said when explaining how course demand drove hiring needs.
Administrators explained that the largest single increase is in social studies (six additional teachers) and that Career & College Applications (CCA) and world languages also showed increased demand. Special education will see internal transfers and hires that create two additional special-education positions plus one vacancy filled due to endorsement changes; the administration said some role-shifting among multi-endorsed staff explains part of the total.
Finance director Stephanie Croy and the superintendent walked the board through financial mitigation strategies: using salary savings from retirements, hiring a mix of lower-step and experienced staff, and managing release periods and roles to limit budget impact. Croy said replacing retirees—who tend to be at top steps—creates salary savings that can be used strategically. She described a temporary co-mingled cash position in the transportation fund and pledged an amended budget update at the next meeting.
Board members asked about class-size targets and caps, facilities and room sharing, how total teacher loads are balanced across sections, and supports for early-career hires. Administrators outlined induction, monthly mentoring, and weekly collaborative team time to help new teachers acclimate and stressed that the district seeks to avoid reductions in force through attrition and strategic hiring.
After discussion the board approved the licensed-staffing motion on roll call. Administrators said they will continue refining hiring and budget estimates and will present final salary-impact projections in future budget amendments.
