The Jefferson-Scranton School District has had to replace 247 years of educational experience for the 2013-14 school year.

Superintendent Tim Christensen says that this school year, there were 13 staff members choose to either retire or resign.  So far, the school district has hired eight positions.  Christensen comments that they went into the hiring process keeping in mind that starting the 2014-15 school year, Jefferson-Scranton will officially combine with East Greene school district to make Greene County School District.

He states that have been some internal shuffling of the current staff to make those adjustments now going forward, but one challenge that remains is finding candidates that have multiple skills.

“We’re trying to get the best, qualified candidate but we’re also wanting to fill coaching positions and different things like that.  But ultimately, it does come down (that) we want to get the best teacher.  So sometimes we don’t get some of the other extra filled the way we would like to and that’s a challenge.  But ultimately, we here to give kids the best education and that’s what we’re looking at is the best teacher.”

Some of the longest tenure educators who will be retiring are elementary teacher Vicki Harker with 43 years and intermediate social studies teacher Tom Powers with 37 years.  One important position that is needed for next year is replacing the middle school principal with Karen Younie’s retirement at the end of the current school year.

Christensen says the position has been offered with trying to find a candidate with media technology background moving forward.

List of staff retiring or resigning at the end of the 2012-13 school year:

Dave Briggs: Vocational Ag Teacher (26 years)

Kelli Burdette: MS Special Ed. Teacher (1 year)

Vicki Harker: Elementary Teacher (43 years)

Bridget Herron: PK Teacher (6 years)

Gail Huffman: Elementary Teacher (29 years)

Mike McGinnis: HS Social Studies Teacher (14 years)

Billie Peacock: MS Cook (12 years)

Tom Powers: Intermediate Science Teacher (37 years)

Jana Rector: MS Special Ed. Teacher (2 years)

Nanette Smith:  MS Special Ed. Teacher (2 years)

Linda Walker:  MS Cook (32 years)

Keith Vander Wilt:  HS Math Teacher (29 years)

Karen Younie:  MS Principal (14 years)

Hired positions for 2013-14 school year:

Spencer Bauer: Intermediate Science Teacher (Des Moines area)

Zachery Beekman: MS Special Ed. Teacher (Pocahontas)

Lucas Boyd: HS Math Teacher (Ames)

Holly Byrkeland: MS Special Ed. Teacher (Algona)

Kelly Delagardelle: MS Guidance Counselor (Counselor at Ballard) – Added position

Cortney Schmidt: Agriculture Education Teacher (Ocheyedan area – student taught at Jefferson-Scranton two years ago)

Rebecca Stoeker: HS Social Studies Teacher (Currently teaching at Villisca)

Diana Towers: PK Teacher (Currently teaching at Carlisle)