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Upshur County says about 20 positions remain open; pursues university partnerships and mentor postings
Summary
District officials reported a recent wave of resignations, said roughly 20 positions remain unfilled, and described plans to post openings, expand university partnerships for student teachers and advertise mentor positions to improve retention.
District staff told the board that a recent wave of resignations left roughly 20 unfilled positions across instructional and support roles and that the district is actively posting jobs to fill them.
"It is approximately around 20," a district presenter said when asked about current vacancies, and added that postings would be refreshed immediately after the meeting. The presenter listed seven recent professional hires, three service hires, three substitutes, a coach, a student-council advisor and several transfers, including one principal transfer.
To expand the pipeline of teachers and aides, staff said the district will pursue clinical/teacher-residency (CTR) agreements similar to existing arrangements with West Virginia Wesleyan. The presenter specifically named a FAL State University program and said the district has an agreement with Glenville that allows placements and first-class permits for candidates who can pursue online master's and certification pathways.
Board members said the district is also prioritizing mentor positions and onboarding supports, noting roughly 30 mentor slots may be needed and that mentor postings are planned to be advertised the following Wednesday to bolster early-career retention.
Staff cautioned that retaining newly hired teachers will be a multiyear effort: onboarding, mentorship and ongoing professional development were listed as critical to keeping staff beyond the first three to five years. The board did not adopt a new hiring policy during the meeting; instead, members directed staff to continue the posting process and to implement mentor recruitment.
