By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools’ Board of Trustees discussed the district’s hiring process and current employment needs during a Jan. 11 work session.

At the meeting, Director of Human Resources Sheila Howe and WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert addressed board members’ questions about hiring student teachers and the need for support staff.

“Our student teachers that are in our schools right now are ending on a job interview,” said Hoffert. “As soon as we know we’re going to hire them, we’re hiring them early. The last few years, we’ve tried to have all our hiring done by May 1. That’s going to be pushed closer to us right now and is going to be quicker than that because if we wait until May, there won’t be any applicants left.”

Hoffert said WCS averages between 25 to 30 student teachers.

Howe and Hoffert both told the board that WCS’s biggest need is for more support staff.

“That’s where the drastic need is right now,” said Hoffert.

In other business, the board also held an organizational meeting prior to the beginning of the work session.

For 2022, the school board officer slate remains the same as last year’s, with Heather Reichenbach as president, Randy Polston as vice-president and Jeremy Mullins as secretary.

WCS’ Board of Trustees also held a board of finance meeting before the work session. A report from Chief Financial Officer April Fitterling, who was not at the meeting, was read aloud by Hoffert.

In her report, Fitterling summarized that WCS “has been, and will continue to be, fiscally responsible and transparent.” Fitterling’s report also noted that WCS has never had any of the following: failure to make required contributions or transfers; issuance of judgment bonds; missed debt payments; missed payroll; past due vendor payments; or any findings related to the financial condition of the school corporation by the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board.

The board’s next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24.