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Board hears updates on counselor evaluation rubric and teacher pipeline as vacancies fall
Summary
HR staff presented a limited revision to the instructional evaluation manual (new counselor rubric) and district leaders described Grow‑Your‑Own and ATS results, reporting 26 ATS graduates with 23 now teaching and a significant reduction in classroom vacancies.
Alexa Neal, supervisor of human resources, and Carrie Wilson presented proposed, minimal revisions to the 2026–27 instructional personnel evaluation manual, highlighted by a new school‑counselor rubric aligned to recently adopted Florida School Counselor Standards. Neal said the rubric was developed with input from counselors at every level, administrators, a school‑board member and the HCTA representative; an MOU with HCTA reflected agreement on the changes.
Why it matters: Board members praised the work and said the counselor rubric had been needed; Neal said the district will provide professional learning so administrators and counselors implement the rubric consistently.
Talent‑management and staffing: Assistant Superintendent Barbara Kidder and the district talent team reported on Grow‑Your‑Own initiatives including associate‑teacher (ATS) programs, partnerships (Saint Leo, GCU), paid internships and recruitment pipelines. Kidder said two ATS cohorts produced 26 graduates, 23 of whom are now teaching in Hernando County, and that year‑over‑year classroom vacancies peaked near 139 in 2023 but have decreased (presenters cited a 30% reduction overall and a 63% improvement when ATS placements are counted).
Board members raised a persistent shortage of speech‑language pathologists and other ESE staff. Multiple board members pressed staff on pay competitiveness, contracting versus hiring, use of virtual services, hybrid schedules and whether the district can create faster internal pathways (for example, advancing assistant practitioners to licensure). Student‑services and HR staff said they are pursuing university partnerships, intern pipelines and targeted recruitment and will follow up with further research and proposals.
Presenters and board members discussed compensatory services for students who miss therapy while vacancies are filled; staff said contracted services are used when positions are unfilled and compensatory supports can be provided where gaps occurred.
No final board action was recorded; staff said they will follow up with the board on proposals to address critical shortages and on next steps for implementing the evaluation rubric.
