Claremont superintendent says middle school will have enough teachers to open in fall

Since July 1 the district has brought on 40 educators.

Claremont middle school is expected to begin the fall term with enough staff in place, according to district leaders who say hiring has picked up after a year of turmoil in Claremont School District.

Superintendent Timothy Broadrick said the school will open on schedule and that the district has moved to stabilize staffing at Claremont Middle School, which enrolls more than 330 students. He said that before he formally started in July, only about 15 certified teachers were projected to return, a level that raised concerns for the upcoming school year.

Since July 1, the district has brought on 40 educators, Broadrick said, adding that the new staffing levels should allow the middle school to be covered safely with a mix of certified and certification-eligible employees. He said he had been warning the school board and city officials about the issue for months before taking office.

The hiring update comes as Claremont continues to deal with the fallout from a financial crisis that left the district with a $5 million budget gap. Mayor Dale Girard said the shortage in applicants and returning staff has been tied to the uncertainty created by that deficit and the effects of last year’s problems.

Broadrick said restoring confidence among families remains a major focus as the district rebuilds its administration. He acknowledged that parents are understandably worried about the quality of education their children will receive, while noting that the district is still in the process of filling remaining vacancies and addressing broader recovery work.