Paulding County Board hears HR update as schools open; district reports 334 new hires and growing teacher pipeline

The Paulding County School District told the board Aug. 4 that human resources worked through a busy summer to staff the opening of schools, reporting 334 new hires this year and a 92% overall retention rate.

"We have 334 new hires this year," a district presenter said during the HR briefing, highlighting 195 certified and 139 classified hires and 649 transfers tied in part to a new elementary opening and boundary realignment. Presenters said the top reasons for 311 separations were resignation and retirement.

The presenters also emphasized internal mobility: 20 paraprofessionals moved into teacher positions this year, up from nine last year, and the district highlighted its PDAP pipeline, noting a recent KSU undergraduate completer who will begin at Allgood Elementary. New-teacher orientation drew about 170 attendees on day one; organizers said roughly $4,200 in vendor donations supported the event.

Board members asked for follow-up on the parapro-to-teacher (PDAP) program and asked HR to provide an update on program participation and supports. HR told the board it would supply a PDAP progress report at a future meeting.

The HR presentation closed with the superintendent thanking the team for recruiting, certification, substitute readiness and payroll work ahead of the first day of classes.