Warsaw Schools Facing Shortage Of Support Staff
October 12, 2016 at 4:57 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said the unemployment rate in Kosciusko County is about 3.4 percent, which makes it difficult to fill support staff postings such as custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and teacher aides.
“We always have openings,” he said after the board meeting. “After we fill a position, another one opens up.”
A new law that went in to effect July 1, which requires stricter requirements for hiring school staff, is causing another roadblock to hiring employees, according to Jeanie Corson, WCS human resources director.
The new law requires a potential employee to go through a nationwide Department of Child Services check in addition to a standard background check.
Hoffert said new laws are being looked at for the upcoming legislative session that may make hiring staff even more stricter.
Corson joked that they might stand out on the street and try to hire people as soon as they move into the area.
One thing the school board will do to attempt to solve the problem is build community partnerships with businesses in the area. One local businesses has already offered its services to the schools.
Joel Wihebrink, of Wihebrink Landscaping, will provide some of his workers to do jobs for the school. Wihebrink said he was worried about keeping his employees during the winter when he doesn't have enough work for his employees.
The plan is for Wihebrink to send his workers to the school to do grounds work during the eight to 10 weeks during the winter when landscaping work slows down. The school will pay them the standard rate, and Wihebrink will subsidize it so his employees don't lose pay.
Hoffert said that he hopes this can be a model to forge other community partnerships.
In other business, the school board:
• Heard Jim Lemasters’ update on the current building projects.
In the last 30 days, construction crews have completed setting steel for canopies, completed roofing expect for canopies and edge metal, and completed hanging drywall in the one-story portion of the new Lincoln Elementary School building.
Lemasters also reported on improvements to Washington?STEM Academy over the last 30 days.
Construction crews completed roof edge and metal trims as well as the cafeteria and kitchen at Washington.
Crews have completed classroom and administration renovation and completed a media center, STEM lab and a technology lab at?Edgewood Middle School, Lemasters reported.
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Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said the unemployment rate in Kosciusko County is about 3.4 percent, which makes it difficult to fill support staff postings such as custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and teacher aides.
“We always have openings,” he said after the board meeting. “After we fill a position, another one opens up.”
A new law that went in to effect July 1, which requires stricter requirements for hiring school staff, is causing another roadblock to hiring employees, according to Jeanie Corson, WCS human resources director.
The new law requires a potential employee to go through a nationwide Department of Child Services check in addition to a standard background check.
Hoffert said new laws are being looked at for the upcoming legislative session that may make hiring staff even more stricter.
Corson joked that they might stand out on the street and try to hire people as soon as they move into the area.
One thing the school board will do to attempt to solve the problem is build community partnerships with businesses in the area. One local businesses has already offered its services to the schools.
Joel Wihebrink, of Wihebrink Landscaping, will provide some of his workers to do jobs for the school. Wihebrink said he was worried about keeping his employees during the winter when he doesn't have enough work for his employees.
The plan is for Wihebrink to send his workers to the school to do grounds work during the eight to 10 weeks during the winter when landscaping work slows down. The school will pay them the standard rate, and Wihebrink will subsidize it so his employees don't lose pay.
Hoffert said that he hopes this can be a model to forge other community partnerships.
In other business, the school board:
• Heard Jim Lemasters’ update on the current building projects.
In the last 30 days, construction crews have completed setting steel for canopies, completed roofing expect for canopies and edge metal, and completed hanging drywall in the one-story portion of the new Lincoln Elementary School building.
Lemasters also reported on improvements to Washington?STEM Academy over the last 30 days.
Construction crews completed roof edge and metal trims as well as the cafeteria and kitchen at Washington.
Crews have completed classroom and administration renovation and completed a media center, STEM lab and a technology lab at?Edgewood Middle School, Lemasters reported.
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