Jennifer Ward, Fremont Elementary School principal, greets families Aug. 16, 2024.
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
Word of mouth and reputation from its own staff are reducing the number of vacancies for the Carson City School District, officials said.
The district for the past three years has seen an overall decline in the certified and classified positions it looks to fill using diversified recruitment efforts, Dan Sadler, associate superintendent of human resources, told the school board earlier this month.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Sadler told trustees. “It’s really a district-wide effort. I’m happy to lead that effort, but word of mouth, it’s really kudos to all our employees in helping in this effort.”
Tracking data on Aug. 9, 2022, Aug. 8, 2023, and Aug. 9, 2024, CCSD had 67, 38 and 28 total vacancies, respectively.
Sadler specified by classification and said Carson went from having 19 to 9 to 8 certified vacancies, 10 to 5 to 3 certified special education vacancies and 23 to 12 and 13 classified vacancies. Classified special education positions have gone down from 15 to 12 to 4.
There have been no administration or school nurse positions to fill. Coaching positions have increased, Sadler said.
Positions frequently might be filled by transfer, and the district often will hire based on critical labor shortage needs and get permission from PERS to fill them. From 2022 to this year, the district filled two, two and one in critical labor, Sadler said.
For 2024-25, there are a total of 520 certified positions with 11 vacancies available as of Aug. 9, he reported, or a 4.4% vacancy rate. That was down from 7% in 2023-24.
“To be looking at these numbers is truly amazing given the job market and a challenge it’s been to find people who are certified to come work in our teaching positions and willing to work in our other positions,” he said. “Our goal would be to have this at 100% every year.”
Open positions include teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, counselors and more at various sites or in different departments.
Trustees praised Sadler and the human resources team for their work in promoting needs through recruitment events and job fairs.
Trustee Mike Walker said those who are interested in working with Carson City often find it’s about forming long-lasting partnerships as educators.
“Our focus is on a supportive district for employees and when there are hard times, everybody comes to the table and works together, and that’s not always the case,” Walker said. “It’s rare and Carson City is a place everybody steps up, looking out for the greater good, and it contributes to the reputation of this district. … I know there’s lot of things you should be proud about in this district.”