Washington schools a few teachers short as summer starts

WASHINGTON — The Washington school district just shy of its goal to fill every open position before the school year ended May 25. Superintendent Willie Stone said the district was still searching for special education staff, as well as teachers for Spanish, fourth and fifth grades, high school math and social studies, and a middle school ELA interventionist.

Stone said most of the openings created by this year’s early retirement option were filled, but that some employees announced unrelated departures later in the year, which complicated staffing goals.

“We had some openings that people left, it kind of creates a trickle-down effect,” he said. “They left later than usual … we continue to focus on getting our positions filled with great, high-quality people so our kids have great people working with them.”

While some of those conditions must be filled unconditionally, the Stone said district was looking for creative solutions where possible.

In the most recent school year, Washington High School piloted a Spanish program with a remote teacher, who video called into a classroom of in-person students. Stone said officials had not yet decided whether that program would continue, but that an alternative staff-sharing plan recently fell through.

“We had some plans where we were going to share with (Tipton’s) school district, but their person resigned, so now we’re kind of back to square one,” he said. “We’ve lost that capability at this time … we’ll still entertain that with districts if they’re wanting to do that.”

Staff shortages are also nothing new for the district’s special education team. Stone said the schools were looking into not-yet-licensed employees for training.

“Some of that could entail people who are working on their license,” he said. “Or, having people who are teachers, have them get long-term subs and getting them a special license for (special education.) There’s multiple different things.”

The ambitious staffing goal announced in January was meant to ensure that each newcomer had time to acclimate to the building and their peers. While the district’s first official training and orientation for the recent hires starts in August, Stone said they already had access to their classrooms and contact with building administrators.

“It just lessens the stress level for everyone when you’ve got positions that are filled,” he said. “I’m sure our principals are talking with them all the way through the summer, via email and stuff like that, but the first day they’re expected to be there is Aug. 7 and 8.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com