Minutes-03-09-2023-Joint Meeting with School Boards

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4 Sarah Smylie said OCS started a teacher mentoring program. She said that new teachers need attention and support. She said they have a stronger presence on social media, regularly attending HBCU recruitment events, have implemented referral bonuses, are offering support for relocation fees, and offering sign on bonuses for nurses CTE, Exceptional Children, and Science Teachers. She said that those are paid out over time. She said OCS is having a job fair on Saturday, April 15t" 9-12 at Cedar Ridge High School. Vice-Chair McKee asked if he heard Sarah Smylie say that teachers of color are leaving at a greater rate after 2 years. Sarah Smylie said that statistic was from a statewide study, but she's not sure about the specific number for OCS. Vice-Chair McKee said he is curious about the "why." He asked if exit interviews are being conducted in OCS. Joyce Hatcher said an email is sent after an employee leaves the organization with a link to an exit survey. She said that if it's not completed, they are called and invited to speak with her. She said the reasons people leave OCS vary. She said some people are leaving to relocate or due to commutes. She said some people are leaving due to health reasons or caring for an elderly parent. She said some people have left to see if the grass is greener, but some come back. She said they use the data from the surveys to look for areas of improvement. Vice-Chair McKee said the company he works for also has issues with people having to travel far distances to get to work. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked Sarah Smylie for the percentage of Black teachers compared to students. Sarah Smylie said 12% of teachers are Black compared to 13.4% of students. Commissioner Portie-Ascott praised OCS for the increase of diversity amongst their teachers. She asked what the racial and ethnic breakdown for teacher applicants was over the past year. Dr. Felder said OCS staff could look into that and provide the information. Chair Bedford asked about the district mental health position. Sarah Smylie said there is a new district Mental Health Coordinator position. Dr. Felder said this is a new position in the district and seeks to support student and staff social-emotional wellness. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for teacher vacancies by school level. Dr. Felder said OCS staff could send that information broken down, but there were 44 teacher vacancies at the beginning of the school year and there are now 39. Vice-Chair McKee asked if vacancies are concentrated in a subject or area. Sarah Smylie said many vacancies are in the Exceptional Children's program. She said there are also vacancies in math and sciences. Carrie Doyle said she has a recent spreadsheet of the vacancies and the 39 vacancies includes support staff. Chair Atherton said OCS staff will send the information to the Board. Vice-Chair McKee asked about vacancies for tutors and teaching assistants. Sarah Smylie said there are 30 tutors in elementary schools and a good number in other schools. Dr. Felder said some teachers are filling in as tutors during school and after school. She said they are very focused on strengthening the instructional core so that fewer students will need remediation. Chair Atherton said they also have a tutor that goes out to the Gateway Center. Commissioner Richards said she met with some people from Family Success Alliance today. She said that New Hope Elementary identified the students that live at the Gateway Center and they're doing a special program there.