Warren County School Board Reviews Staffing, Discipline, Safety, and Community Support

At the May 28 Warren County School Board meeting, several key updates were presented in the reports section, offering a snapshot of school operations as the academic year winds down.

ESS Staffing Update Shows Improved Coverage

Jon Smith opened the session with an update on the district’s contract with Educational Staffing Solutions (ESS). Staffing coverage has shown measurable improvement over the school year, with April reaching an 82% fill rate for teacher absences—up from 78% in March. Factoring in long-term and building-based substitutes, the effective fill rate jumps to 99%.

Jon Smith shares an update on staffing improvements during the May 28 Warren County School Board meeting, noting expectations for continued growth next year.

ESS staff were credited with successful community outreach efforts such as job fairs and student field trips, including an upcoming visit to a minor league baseball game. The district has hired 74 new staff members since August, surpassing last year’s count. A full end-of-year analysis will be provided in June, but early signs suggest a more cost-effective performance compared to last year.

In addition to hiring, Smith noted that ESS had conducted surveys with school administrators and substitutes to gauge satisfaction and gather performance feedback. This information will help align substitute placements more strategically in the future, especially as the district continues to reach out to colleges to attract new talent.

Discipline Trends Mixed Across Schools

Dr. Chris Ballenger presented the April 2025 discipline report, which showed a varied picture across the district. Some schools saw increases in disciplinary incidents, while others experienced declines.

Dr. Christopher Ballenger presents the April 2025 student discipline report to the Warren County School Board, noting an expected end-of-year uptick in incidents at some schools.

Elementary schools showed inconsistent trends—A.S. Rhodes rose from 2 incidents last year to 9 this April, while E. Wilson dropped from 6 to just 1. LFK Elementary reported a significant increase, from 10 to 38 referrals. On the middle school level, Skyline Middle rose from 43 to 56, while Warren County Middle had a dramatic drop from 55 to 12.

At the high school level, Skyline High saw an increase from 73 to 91 referrals, while Warren County High remained relatively stable, with 24 incidents compared to 29 last April. These fluctuations are typical for this time of year, Ballenger noted, as students grow restless in the final weeks of school.

School Resource Officer Reports Fewer Incidents

Sergeant Kristin Hajduk shared updates from the school resource officer (SRO) program, echoing the discipline report’s mixed but generally positive news. April saw 14 reported incidents across the district, down from 26 in March. Despite expectations of an uptick, the end of the school year has been calmer than anticipated.

Sgt. Hajduk shares encouraging data with the Warren County School Board, noting a decline in school incidents compared to previous months and last year.

Three threat assessments, two fights, and one marijuana possession case were among the 14 incidents. Sgt. Hajduk credited ongoing awareness programs, including monthly vaping education sessions, for contributing to the decline in behavior-related issues. She also hinted at a broader year-over-year improvement in school safety, with full data to be presented next month.

Community Donations Support McKinney-Vento Students

The Board also accepted a round of generous community donations benefiting students experiencing housing insecurity. Special Services Director Danelle Sperling presented on behalf of the McKinney-Vento Liaison, detailing contributions made in March and April to the district’s Glass Slipper initiative—a program that provides formalwear for students attending events like prom.

Special Services Director Danelle Sperling thanks community donors for supporting students experiencing housing insecurity through the McKinney-Vento program.

Donations included dresses, suits, shoes, and corsages from individuals and organizations such as the Hike Kids Foundation and Fussell Florist. These contributions ensure that students facing homelessness or unstable housing conditions can still participate in school milestones.

Sperling also promoted an upcoming fundraiser: the Hike Kids Foundation’s “Dueling Disco,” scheduled for June 27. The event supports the Clothes the Kids initiative, which provides school-appropriate clothing to students in need. Staff, including Dr. Ballenger and Project HOPE’s Colin Miller, are slated to participate in the event’s dance-off, and the community is invited to attend or donate at duelingdisco.com.

With the school year closing, the reports emphasized a combination of improved staffing, positive behavior trends, and strong community partnerships—all critical components of the district’s mission to serve every student.

Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of May 28, 2025, on this Royal Examiner video by Mark Williams.