District details extensive August onboarding and professional-development program for new and returning staff

Dr. Allison Degraphth summarized the district's August professional development and new-staff orientation, saying multiple departments collaborated to onboard new employees and align training with district learning goals. "We dedicate multiple days in August to our professional development to support our staff as they begin their new school year," Degraphth said.

She described new-staff orientation at Parker High School, teacher onboarding rotations for curriculum tools (Wonders and Bridges), mentor days in buildings and role-specific sessions for non-certified staff (medication training, first aid/CPR). Degraphth said the district began planning in February and uses veteran teachers to lead curriculum onboarding.

Carrie Mickelson added details on other August events: a five-hour administrative-assistant conference, frontline leadership training for operational leaders (35 attendees), new-hire orientation (69 attendees: 47 certified, 22 non-certified) and an administrative-assistant conference with 37 attendees. That programming linked to strategic pillars such as staff excellence and family/community partnerships; Mickelson noted a partnership with Forward Janesville for community introductions.

Committee members asked about AI professional-development offerings; staff said district teams are exploring AI training to pilot and share practices for staff and students.