OISD welcomes new teachers

Olney Independent School District welcomed 34 new staff members for the 2023–24 school year – the most turnover the district has seen in nearly a decade, Superintendent Dr. Greg Roach told the group during their orientation last week.

The group includes four speech, occupational and physical therapists who will serve other school districts as well, and nine new coaches who also will teach classes. The district lost coaching staff with the departure of Athletic Director Jody Guy. Several of those coaches got jobs at larger school districts, OISD Human Resources Director Jennie Walker said.

There was no unifying reason for the other teachers’ departures – but a hot job market contributed to some moving for spouses’ jobs and others moving to larger districts, she said.

The OISD is still looking to fill at least five teaching positions as it approaches the Aug. 16 start of the school year, an anomaly for this point in the school calendar, Dr. Roach said.

The Texas Legislature had vowed to increase teacher pay this year to address problems with teacher retention and recruitment across the state, but the proposed pay hikes died amid a fight among Republicans over a school voucher plan. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to call a special session later this year to address vouchers and teacher salaries.