Dupage Policy Journal

The Downers Grove School District Board of Education discussed changes made to staffing levels for the 2023-24 school year at its March 20 meeting.

Board members spoke about students' finished course selection, interest levels, and section numbers for both high schools. This resulted in changes made to the number of staff and hours needed for various departments and programs.

Associate Superintendent for Student Services Scott Wuggazer reported on the estimated staffing needs for special services and student support departments next year. Both high schools will see an increase in staff for their Special Services Instructional (SSI) departments, with North High School receiving an additional 1.6 positions due to increased need and higher student enrollment. South High School will receive a 0.4 full-time equivalent (FTE) position. The district will also have a new special services coordinator full-time position, with the employee splitting their time between the two campuses. Overall, the district will gain 5.4 special services positions in fall 2023, with some employees moving from part-time to full-time and others needing to be hired for new positions.

The board also approved changes to the district's instructional positions, as fall 2023's course enrollment looked to decrease the district's FTE from 317.7 to 315.2, a loss of 5.7 positions. This will result in the district honorably dismissing some instructors who will not return after the current school year. Four individuals were dismissed from North High School: three part-time employees and one full-time. Three individuals were dismissed from South High School: two part-time employees and one full-time. No comments were made in the public hearing for the dismissals, and the board approved the changes, They also approved the dismissals of a nurse and school psychologist from the district.

"Those are staff members who we do not have equivalent FTE for next year," said District Director of Human Resources Jeff Bergholtz. "So because of some of the reduction in our enrollment, overall that has a ripple effect. And so some staff are thus not able to have the same FTE they have this year. So those are the folks who are being honorably dismissed, there are seven of them for next year. Also on the memo are a couple of staff who are just being dismissed. Some people say 'Why not honorably'? That is because those are staff (who will) be dismissed for other reasons. Honorable is for the reduction in FTE. These other two staff members listed there are being dismissed because they were filling leave positions which have now expired. And so they would not have been coming back in either situation because of that."