HCPSS officials say contract staff are necessary stop-gaps for special education as district works to rebuild positions

Howard County Public Schools officials described how contract agencies are used to fill special-education vacancies while the district works to recruit and retain permanent staff.

Jen Webster, chief academic officer, told the joint board-council meeting that contract workers are a stop-gap the district prefers to minimize, noting contractual restrictions can complicate converting agency staff to full-time HCPSS employees. Webster said contract pay rates are sometimes higher on an hourly basis and some workers prefer contract roles for that reason, even when district positions offer benefits and retirement.

"When we have teacher vacancies, having access to contract workers is a stop gap," Webster said, adding that while contract staff can be a good fit, "the challenge becomes that contract employees can be here today and gone tomorrow." She said professional positions are generally more cost-effective to fill with permanent hires and that the district is pursuing structural improvements and a special-education strategic plan to improve retention and recruitment.

Board members asked for counts and cost comparisons. Staff said they had not completed a full analysis yet but noted the district lost 32 positions in one recent budget round (including grounds, custodial and maintenance roles) and that a comprehensive maintenance/ staffing analysis is in progress. Staff promised to return with detailed estimates of required full-time equivalent hours, gaps and recommended staffing levels.

Next steps: HCPSS will present a more detailed staffing-gap and cost comparison to the board when the work is complete; the district also intends to continue recruitment and to use contracts only where necessary to meet students’ legally required services.