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Rockport announces multiple summer hires and staffing changes ahead of school year
Summary
Superintendent Mark Branko summarized summer staffing moves — new ESL teacher, bus driver hires, substitutes and paraprofessional changes — saying the district is near full staffing as schools prepare to reopen.
Superintendent Mark Branko told the Rockport School Committee on Aug. 20 that the district made a series of staff changes over the summer as it prepares for the 2025–26 school year.
"We have had some movement and welcomed some new staff members and say goodbye to some dedicated staff members," Branko said, listing hires and resignations. He named Molly Swanson as the district ESL teacher; Leanne Demeo Mastone as a bus driver; Barry Norman, Catherine Cook and Chad Johnson as permanent substitutes; and Jeff Yacobauskas as a new maintenance employee. He also noted several paraprofessional resignations and that Kathleen Hill was recalled to a paraprofessional role.
Branko said the wave of paraprofessional movement often reflects staff stepping up into teaching or adjacent educational roles: "We get high quality paraprofessionals that in many cases use these positions...to move on and remain in education." He added that, overall, "I believe we're almost a 100% staffed." (Mark Branko)
The superintendent thanked departing employees for their service and welcomed new hires. No formal vote was required for the staffing report; committee members asked follow-up questions about onboarding and schedules.
Looking ahead, Branko said additional details will be included in the next staffing report to the committee and he thanked the hiring teams and central-office staff for their work over the summer.
