Frederick County outlines recruitment, stay‑interview pilot and school‑level retention tactics to address staffing

Daniel West told the personnel committee the division has increased recruitment outreach, attending education career fairs (including Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and employer events to recruit teachers and transportation staff. He credited his employment team (Kathy Fink, Lisa Try and Rochelle Lloyd) and said staff followed up with prospective hires from recent fairs.

West described an upcoming stay‑interview questionnaire pilot: principals will be asked to nominate at least 10 staff from a building to participate. The survey will collect basic demographics (location, years of service) and ask rating‑scale questions about professional development and job expectations; participants will have the opportunity to meet one‑on‑one with West to discuss their responses. The aim is to surface actionable strategies to improve retention.

Staff also discussed university partnerships and student‑teacher placements. West and other staff listed partnerships with George Mason University, James Madison University, Shenandoah, Shepherd University, WGU and Liberty/Regents; the division said it will assume responsibility for student‑teacher placements next year to focus on recruitment and retention efforts. Staff noted that the more difficult barrier is finding experienced teachers willing to mentor student teachers, not initial placement availability.

At the school level, David Glasscock, principal at Frederick County Middle, described retention practices that helped his school keep staff: injecting humor and community‑building activities, being transparent about challenges, remaining personally available to staff, acknowledging mistakes and offering practical support. Glasscock said these approaches — and visible leadership — contributed to low turnover at his school.

HR benefits lead Tashika described a partnership with Valley Health Family Care Center to provide benefits, retirement and wellness presentations at school sites. Staff reported visits to six elementary schools and two departments since March to introduce employees to Valley Health resources and retirement options.

The committee received the updates; staff said they will continue recruitment events, pilot the stay‑interview questionnaire and return with findings that could inform retention programming.