NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Krystal Young with Hutchinson USD 308 told Hutch Post that there have been considerable increases for classified staff in the district in the last few years.
"In 2021, we had an entry level position for Hutchinson Public Schools at $10.88 an hour," Young said. "This year we are really proud that all of our entry level positions start at $15. And so in those few years we have increased that $4.12, which has drastically improved the ability for us to hire and retain our classified staff and they are absolutely essential in keeping our district running in every aspect."
More than half of those employed by the district are classified staff.
"Classified staff makes up about 52% of our district," Young said. "That staff is not contracted for an entire year, but they are an hourly wage employee. They make up our staff that works with students and works in the other areas of our district, maintenance, food service, technology, custodial staff."
The district is going to be able to narrow its focus when hiring classified staff through the rest of the year.
"Because of our wage increase, we have been able to fill a lot of vacancies that we haven't necessarily filled in the past," Young said. "We have fewer openings in our classified staff than we would normally have in September, and so from this point forward, we're starting to post positions based on the actual position and the location. In the past, you might have gone to apply for a position and it just said, Para. And you wouldn't know if you're applying for a Para at Wiley Elementary or Faris Elementary. However, as we move forward, because we have hired so many positions, we're able to post those individually."
For more information, go to https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring.