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10 <br /> Slide #15 <br /> 2025-2026 Staffing Update <br /> School-Based Positions <br /> 1,527 of 1,558 Positions Filled (98.0%) <br /> • 1,096 of 1,109 Certified Positions Filled (98.8%) <br /> • 201 of 216 EC Positions Filled (93.1%) <br /> • 40 of 40 MLL Teacher Positions Filled (100%) <br /> • 56 of 57 Pre-K Positions Filled (98.2%) <br /> 1:hp H11Z.­ 1:ty3.noo1,1«,0« g THINK(AND ACT) <br /> Ashauna Harris emphasized that "retention is the new recruitment," particularly <br /> considering the declining enrollment in teacher education programs across the board. She said <br /> that the pipeline for producing new teachers is shrinking, the focus has shifted towards keeping <br /> existing skilled educators within the system. <br /> Chair Bedford asked what MILL stands for. <br /> Ashauna Harris said "multi-language learner." <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about certification requirements for EC Teacher <br /> Assistants in relation to the vacancies in those positions. <br /> Ashauna Harris said these positions are particularly difficult to fill and require 42 or 48 <br /> hours of college credit; however, any additional training is provided by the district. She said that <br /> she recently did a radio advertisement to recruit teacher assistants and substitute teachers. She <br /> said that these are high-demand positions that, unfortunately,just don't pay enough. She <br /> Commissioner McKee inquired about bus driver shortages seen elsewhere in the state. <br /> Ashauna Harris said the Transportation team works extremely hard to find bus drivers, so, <br /> thankfully, that has not been an issue for CHCCS. She confirmed that there are some vacancies, <br /> but there are contingency plans with all transportation office staff, including directors, trained to <br /> drive buses. <br /> Commissioner Fowler followed up on whether EC teacher assistants still received a pay <br /> differential. <br /> Ashauna Harris confirmed they are one salary grade above regular teacher assistants. <br /> b. Orange County Schools <br /> OCS Board of Education Chair, Will Atherton, opened by thanking the county <br /> commissioners for their partnership and willingness to try new collaborative approaches. He <br /> congratulated OCS on their recent accountability results, highlighting that they were in a three- <br /> way tie statewide for all schools meeting or exceeding growth—the first time in district history. He <br /> said the district also showed growth increases across all subgroup data. <br /> Danielle Jones, OCS superintendent, reflected on the successful previous year and the <br /> intensive work over the past 18 months to align district goals and ensure everyone understood <br /> the steps needed to achieve them. She said the district has focused on reviewing existing <br /> programming and resources rather than introducing new initiatives, ensuring proper evaluation of <br /> current programs. She emphasized supporting educators with the necessary resources to <br /> improve retention, acknowledging the increasing difficulty of maintaining teaching staff. <br /> Rhonda Rath, OCS Chief Financial Officer, made the following presentation: <br />