Milpitas Unified outlines summer hiring gains, attrition drivers and retention strategies

At the Sept. 9 meeting, the HR team presented the district's summer hiring and retention update and answered trustees' questions about vacancies, interviews and attrition causes.

HR reported that for classified positions there were 97 vacancies over the recent hiring cycle; HR interviewed 314 candidates and 71 accepted classified positions. For certificated staffing the presentation said 52 individuals accepted certificated positions while 23 declined; management vacancies were described as near resolution. The presenters explained some roles remain hard to fill—particularly special‑education support positions—leading to contracted services in the short term.

The HR report included an attrition analysis using exit interviews and 30/90‑day check‑ins. Common reasons cited for departures included retirements, burnout, perceived lack of resources or support, housing affordability, and better opportunities elsewhere. HR said it conducts ongoing engagement checks and offered examples of creative recruitment (social media brochures, QR codes, on‑site outreach, partnerships with Adult Ed and residency programs) and proposed a management "listening/acting" campaign to identify and solve workplace issues raised by employees.

Trustees asked for more segmented data to identify what the district can control (working conditions, support and resources) versus factors outside its control. HR agreed to refine reporting and supply additional breakdowns (e.g., which exit reasons are within district control) and to provide follow‑up data to the board.

No formal board action was required; the presentation was accepted and staff committed to provide more detailed follow‑up data and candidate pipeline information.