Board queries staffing plan: assistant principals, reading teachers and CTE TAs

Board discussion shifted to staffing investments the administration proposed to support instructional improvement: targeted additions of assistant principals, a multi-year plan to expand reading teachers at the K–2 level, and budgeted teaching-assistant (TA) positions for Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Staff said the budget proposes seven new elementary assistant principals and an approximate $870,000 increase tied to those positions; staff clarified those would be new positions, selected by priority of school population and need. "These will all be new positions," a finance representative said when asked whether the AP line reflected new hires or salary adjustments.

Early-literacy investments drew sustained attention. A district instructional staff member described a three-year strategic plan to increase reading teachers, saying the district currently has about 32 and needs roughly 30 additional reading teachers to provide required tiered interventions at K–2. “We have approximately 32 to provide and to reach every kid that needs intense reading interventions… We needed at least 30 additional reading teachers,” the staff presenter said.

Board members expressed practical concerns about filling CTE TA roles given current shortages and asked whether TAs would require special certification or equipment training. Presenters said TAs would be budgeted and onboarded with training through the CTE department; some candidates with career-adjacent experience would be appropriate but certification and safety training were expected.

Why it matters: Staffing choices — the number and type of new positions funded — shape whether instructional priorities (attendance, reading recovery, CTE safety) can be implemented. The board emphasized balancing new investments with sustaining adequate September–June staffing and operations.

Next steps: Staff said they'll return with more detailed breakdowns of AP cost allocations, planned hiring timelines for reading teachers, and role definitions/qualification requirements for CTE TAs.