Superintendent posts psychologist, intervention specialists and music teacher; board to weigh budget impact

The Waterloo Local superintendent told the board on Jan. 9 that the district has posted several positions for 2025–26 and urged careful budget review before any hires.

"We already have posted the following positions for next year. The psychologist position... 2 intervention specialist positions... and a music teacher," the superintendent said during a staffing update, adding that some postings are replacements and others are new positions that could increase staff size and affect the district’s five-year financial forecast.

Superintendent remarks noted the psychologist post is a replacement (the district outsourced the position this year after difficulty recruiting), an elementary teaching position is a replacement for an announced retirement, and intervention specialists and a music teacher are newly proposed positions. The superintendent said decisions to fill those jobs will rest with the board after finance staff quantify their impact, and suggested setting aside time at the February meeting for a deeper discussion.

Officials described the music teacher hire as an investment intended to expand arts opportunities and mentioned that, with over 20% of students on individualized education programs, additional intervention specialists are intended to reduce caseload pressure and better support students with disabilities. The superintendent also said the district will not fill the position of dean of students, currently held by Mike DeVese.

The board did not vote to fill the positions at the Jan. 9 meeting; the superintendent emphasized applications are being collected and screening will proceed only with board direction once financial implications are clear.

Next steps: board and finance staff will review the five-year forecast and schedule a focused discussion at or after the February meeting before any hiring commitments are finalized.