Board unanimously approves resolution to allow limited hiring flexibility for intervention specialists

At the June 10 special meeting the Little Miami Local board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 26‑014, a measure staff said will permit limited flexibility in how years of prior experience are counted when hiring intervention specialists.

A staff member explained the change responds to a shortage of qualified intervention specialists and is intended to reduce the district’s reliance on contractor positions, which staff said are typically more expensive and (in their view) often lower quality. The presenter said the resolution is narrow: it would apply only at hiring and only to intervention‑specialist positions where the district cannot find sufficiently qualified applicants.

Board members asked whether the LMTA (the bargaining unit) had been consulted and about the risk of grievances from current staff. The staff member said he had spoken with the LMTA president (Mr. Lyke) and that the superintendent has hiring discretion; board members nevertheless emphasized they want uses of the resolution to be transparent and for staff to flag each instance where the policy is applied.

Trustees also discussed pay implications for the candidate under consideration: staff cited a numerical example in which the candidate’s step would place her around $61,000 under typical step assignment, while the proposed adjustment would place the step nearer $65,000 (a roughly $4,000 difference). The board approved the resolution by roll call. Personnel items on the consent list were also approved by roll call.

The board directed staff to note whenever the resolution is used and to provide follow‑up financial figures and pipeline updates ahead of the June meeting so trustees can consider related actions such as targeted hiring or attendance incentives.