Both local school districts are working to fill a number of positions before the 2019-2020 school year begins. With only a couple of weeks left until new hire orientation, both school systems are encouraging interested individuals to apply.
Owensboro Public Schools Public Information Officer Jared Revlett said there are at least three open positions that OPS needs filled within the next couple of weeks. One of those spots is for a middle school social studies teacher, while the other two are specialized positions — an emotional and behavioral disorder teaching position and a school psychologist.
A competitive market across the state for special certification positions, such as math and science, has made it increasingly difficult for local districts to fill these open slots, but Revlett said OPS has been proactive in finding the right people for them.
If the other three positions aren’t filled before the school year starts, Revlett said OPS has options.
“We have a full staff of school psychologists based out of central office that can cover it — it’s not ideal, but it’s doable,” he said. “We want someone who is specialized in social studies for the middle school position. That’d be the best thing for our students. We could get someone emergency certified but, again, it’s not ideal for us.”
Daviess County Public Schools also has three open positions that need to be filled, including a language arts teaching position at DCMS, an elementary teaching position at Tamarack, and another one at Sorgho.
DCPS Assistant Superintendent for Human Services Dr. Amy Shutt said, at the moment, they do not anticipate the need for emergency certification in order to fill these slots.
“We are still accepting applicants for the positions,” Shutt said.
Revlett said OPS’s new hire orientation won’t begin until August 1. OPS is hoping more applicants decide to send their resumes in before orientation begins. OPS conducted several interviews last week in regard to some of OPS’s open positions.
“There’s still time to apply,” Revlett said. “If you’re someone who moved, or someone who’s looking for a change, you can certainly still throw your name in.”
New hires for DCPS will begin orientations on July 29 and July 31, Shutt said. The first day of school doesn’t begin until Wednesday, Aug. 7 for students, and Shutt said DCPS has been interviewing consistently as they work to select the right employees for the jobs.
“The hiring process has been very busy. We have experienced a consistent number of vacancies, but we are continuing to accept applications,” she said. “It is always exciting to know there are so many outstanding professionals who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people.”
