Superintendent details staff changes and honors six employees for 30 years of service

Dr. O'Neil presented a personnel overview: a list of staff who left at the end of the prior year (including retirements, resignations and some layoffs), the hires made for the incoming year (not new positions but backfills and FTE adjustments), and the rationale for appointments.

He said "we did have a few layoffs" and later confirmed the BCBA role was one of the positions not backfilled, noting the district currently has two BCBAs where it previously had three. He also said there remain a few paraprofessional vacancies that administration is working to fill.

The superintendent recognized staff service milestones, naming Holly Butler (Little Lanterns preschool), Jen Carline (grade 4), Christy Dietz (math specialist), Lisa Gardner (grade 2), Eric Lackalade (head custodian), and Lisa Lovering (grade 3). He said the six honored staff represent approximately 180 years of combined service.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about backfills and recall eligibility for laid-off staff; Dr. O'Neil and others responded that many appointments were backfills rather than new positions and the district is prioritizing certain paraprofessional hires.