Q: Can you address the recent School Board vote to allow class sizes in excess of the state requirement?
A: Our “A” rated schools allow us this flexibility and we have passed this resolution annually since 2011. This is nothing different than we have done for the past 11 years. We remain very conservative with our class sizes. I understand that many people are worried about growth, but this annual resolution shouldn’t raise any alarm. We’ve been very cautious over the years about using this option.
Q: Does the district still have openings and what is being done to fill them?
A: Yes, we still have openings. Our principals continue to have the highest expectations for teachers being hired to work in our schools. We continue to be creative in hiring. We sometimes break up positions to make part time instead of full time and we are also reaching out to past employees that we know make excellent candidates for us.
We very much appreciate the hard work of all of our teachers and staff and bus drivers, but the reality is that we are in a labor market shortage. We are trying to navigate that and still focus on our students to provide the best learning opportunities and services each and every day.
Q: What can you tell us about the recent Character Counts! honor bestowed upon the St. Johns County School District?
A: We started the Character Counts! program in 1998 district wide and we’ve gone above and beyond in talking about our character and culture and our Victory with Honor Program. We were just recognized as a Character Counts! Exemplary School District for our commitment to teach, enforce, advocate and model the six pillars of character. We are very proud of this.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with our readers?
A: I’m grateful that we didn’t receive a direct impact from the recent Hurricane Ian, but I think it’s important for people to understand that the school district has a lot of responsibilities in the emergency management process. Principals whose schools are activated as shelters, plus an assigned buddy principal, would be responsible for their school and help provide food and bedding to those sheltering. District staff and school board personnel would help in the manning of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Even though we were not activated locally, we sent people across disciplines and trades from our district to SW Florida to help them reopen their schools.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at kelly.barrera@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
