2023 EDUCATION EDITION
PROBLEM SOLVING Ocials outlined several reasons why there has been such a shortage in auxiliary sta positions over the last few years as well as ways to recruit and retain employees.
Creative solutions Willoughby said it has required some thinking out- side of the box to avoid asking sta to take on more responsibility and maximize existing resources. “It has challenged us to make sure that we’re using our resources eciently and making sure we’re meet- ing the greatest needs before others,” he said. Willoughby said if LHISD has unlled positions, ocials will ask the sta to “step up and take on some additional responsibilities.” LHISD has also begun working on bus routes and schedules to ensure students are arriving at school on time. In June, the district hired Director of Trans- portation Ann Hatton, who will lead the department through growth and address any route concerns. LISD, meanwhile, changed its bell schedule to reduce the total number of routes. It’s created more work for the drivers, but it hasn’t aected the district’s bus service zone, Gearing said. LISD has been using both traditional and uncon- ventional methods to recruit workers as well. The district hosts regular job fairs and the transportation department participated in a “bus roadeo” last year—a statewide competition for drivers to showcase their abilities on an obstacle course. Additionally, LISD is looking for parents and guardians to volunteer in the transportation depart- ment, where they would serve as crossing guards and phone operators. This is because some perma- nent sta who serve in those positions are often
called out to drive buses. Williams, who also helps recruit bus drivers, said he convinced two parents who live on his bus route to join the district’s eet. “They’re in their second and third year, and they’re loving it,” he said. “They realized that this is the rst time they have been able to take a vacation together. So that’s attractive to a lot of our moms and dads that are coming on board.” To attract and retain more employees, some dis- tricts in Central Texas have implemented programs to provide aordable housing. Round Rock and Puger- ville ISDs formed agreements with the Texas Work- force Housing Foundation to provide subsidized rents at local apartment complexes for their sta members. Gonzales-Dholakia said she’s paying close attention to those types of housing initiatives but also pointed out the geographical dierence, with Leander ISD spanning portions of two counties and ve cities. In the meantime, Gearing said the district’s top pri- ority is ensuring these shortages have as little impact on students and campuses as possible. “We absorb as much of the pain that we can at the administrative level, and we’re constantly thinking through what we can do to make better use of the sta that we do have,” he said.
Issues
People nding new interests
Larger companies oering higher pay
Increasing cost of living
Competing with other ISDs
Solutions
Hosting job fairs and other events to recruit sta Oering ¡exible or part-time schedules and bene ts
Raising pay year over year
Improving workplace culture
SOURCES: GEORGETOWN, LEANDER & LIBERTY HILL ISDS COMMUNITY IMPACT
“I JUST THINK IT’S A CREATIVE CHALLENGE FOR EVERYBODY TO GET PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO WORK …" MARK WILLOUGHBY, LIBERTY HILL ISD CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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