Staffing enrollment update at NASD
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The North Allegheny School District’s enrollment stood at 8,425 students as of the third day of the 2022-23 school year, down slightly from February numbers, according to a report presented to the school board on Sept. 21.
Fall enrollment is measured on the third day of the 2022-2023 school year, according to Marijane Treacy, human resources director for North Allegheny. An updated report is given each February.
This year’s third-day enrollment for North Allegheny stood at 8,425 students. February numbers for the 2021-2022 school year recorded a student population of 8,499.
In 2021-2022 school year, nearby Seneca Valley stood at 7,383, followed by Butler Area at 6,137, and Mt. Lebanon at 5,430. North Hills reported 4,586 and Pine-Richland had 4,500 students last school year.
The professional staff to student ratio at North Allegheny remains at 1 to 12, similar to numbers at Hampton and Mt. Lebanon in 2021-2022, according to the report. Professional staff includes teachers.
The lowest ratio in this category of 1 to 10 was at Shaler Area and Quaker Valley. Higher ratios of about 1 to 13 were found at Butler Area, North Hills, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, and Upper St. Clair in the 2021-2022 school year.
In terms of administrators to students, the ratio for 2022-2023 at North Allegheny is approximately 1 to 22 students.
Seneca Valley had an administrative to student ratio of 1 to 17 during the 2021-2022 school year, and Mt. Lebanon had about 1 to 21. Pine-Richland had about 1 to 18.
Smaller districts such as Hampton with 2,717 students have about 1 administrative staff to 15 students.
School board President Rick McClure noted he often hears comments that the district is top-heavy with administrators, but the report shows that NA is right in line, if not fewer administrators, when compared to other districts.
“Comparing (this) staffing to students, we are spot on,” he said.
Many positions were filled in late summer, including long-term substitutes. Among the new professionals are six graduates of North Allegheny, one previous student teacher at North Allegheny, and 26 new hires with master’s degrees.
Treacy said the district is open to hiring more transportation, particularly mechanics and drivers.
And there are openings for special education paraprofessionals. She said these candidates are chosen with much thought.
“We’re really look for that special something,” she said.
Treacy said North Allegheny isn’t necessarily struggling to finding teachers, due to it being usually considered a destination workplace. But North Allegheny should be mindful of potential shortages.
“I’d love to see more substitutes,” she said.
The district is looking for those with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and foreign languages.