Cape district expanding hiring efforts
To increase the number of qualified staff in all positions and combat an educator shortage, Cape Henlopen School District hiring officials are implementing new recruitment efforts that are also designed to increase diversity.
Speaking at the March 23 school board meeting, Supervisor of Human Resources Ned Gladfelter said fewer people are going into the education field, which suffered from massive resignations throughout the pandemic.
The district is moving from traditional hiring methods and instead focusing on grow-your-own strategies, Gladfelter said, by providing professional development opportunities to current employees and recruiting candidates who live in Sussex and Kent counties.
By partnering with local colleges and universities, Gladfelter said a number of programs, some free and even paid, are available to help with preparing and certifying teachers.
“It’s never, ever been this good to be an educator,” he said.
Hiring officials have also begun speaking with district middle and high school students about pursuing careers in education, he said, and the district has hosted Delaware State University students to speak with interested students about college life.
The district is also working to attract a more diverse candidate base that reflects the demographics of students. Right now, the district employs 43 administrators, 626 professional staff, 244 elementary teachers and 296 secondary teachers, he said, and the teaching staff is not as diverse as other staffs.
Assistant Human Resources Supervisor Lisa Morris said research shows it’s better to host a career fair instead of attending one, because of the increased likelihood of attracting interested candidates who are personally vested in the community.
More than 180 candidates registered for the district’s first job fair March 24, she said. Open positions include bus drivers and monitors, custodians/maintenance, teachers, secretaries and substitutes.
For information on available positions, go to capehenlopenschools.com/cape-careers.
