It includes the hiring of some new staff.
Frederick, Md (KM) August 23rd, 2023 is the first day of classes for Frederick County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Dyson says the school system has been getting ready to welcome students for another academic year. She says the process of hiring new teachers and other staff began very early. “We offered open contracts earlier this spring. So by May–if you compare May, 2022 to May, 2023–I think we went from maybe 146 to about 200 teachers,” she said.
More than 400 people have come on board, says Dr. Dyson. “Some veteran teachers and veteran staff, veteran teacher specialists. But all in all, we’re about 94 to 100 percent fill rate across the district,” she says.
The superintendent says there are still some job openings if anyone is interested in applying.
Dr. Dyson also says Pre-K has been expanded. “So we’ve added Pre-K classes for three-year-olds at Blue Heron Elementary, Centerville Elementary and Urbana Elementary,” she says.
And some space has been made available in the high schools to accommodate Pre-K classes. “Last year, we opened Tuscarora and Frederick. This year it will be Oakdale and Middletown High Schools. So we’re excited about that continued expansion. We also have a Judy Center opening at Tuscarora Elementary,” says Dyson.
Judy Centers are already at Butterfly Ridge, Hillcrest, Lincoln, Monocacy and Waverly Elementary Schools. They’re intended to improve school success through early intervention and comprehensive services for families.
As part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, Doctor Dyson says career coaches have been hired. “That is a service that will be provided to our middle school and high school students so that they are ready by the time they graduate with college or career plans,”: she says. “It’s a partnership between Frederick Community College and Frederick County Government Workforce.”
She says Frederick County is expected to have 22 career coaches ready to go by the first day of school.
By Kevin McManus