The transition to a single Junior High School marks a significant change for our district, and transparency and clear communication are at the heart of this process. To ensure all staff are informed and involved, meetings were held at both Adams City Middle School (ACMS) and Kearney Middle School to outline the transition plan. These meetings provided an opportunity to share the timeline, explain key steps, and answer questions directly from staff. This phase sets the foundation for an open and collaborative approach as we move forward together.

MILESTONES MET
November 21, 2024
Staff meetings were conducted at Adams City Middle School (ACMS) and Kearney Middle School (KMS) to explain the transition process from two middle schools to a single Junior High School (JrHS).     

KEY INFORMATION SHARED

• Overview of the transition process.
• Timeline for key events, including when positions will be posted.

Presentation Shared with Staff (Condensed)

Transparency and collaboration remain central as we take the next step in the transition process: hiring the principal for the new Junior High School. Posting this key leadership position ensures that all qualified candidates within and outside the district have a fair opportunity to apply. The selection of a strong leader is vital to shaping the school’s vision and creating a foundation for success.

MILESTONES MET
December 04, 2024
Principal Position for the New Jr. High School Posted (Position 7549)
    Open: 12/04/2024
    Close: 12/18/2024

Meetings between Human Resources, principals, and department leaders began in mid-November to review staffing needs for the 2025–2026 school year.  Projections for staffing units (FTE) were carefully analyzed and refined.

PROJECTED MILESTONES
December 19, 2024
Finalized staffing projections (FTE) for ACMS, KMS, and the new JrHS will be shared online. FTE (Full Time Equivalent) represent the number of positions by content area, example: the number of math teachers at the new Jr. High School and each of the middle schools.  Another example would be the number of elective teachers needed by content at each of the three (3) schools.

December 20, 2024
Finalized FTE lists and staffing details will be emailed to ACMS and KMS staff.

Hiring the principal for the new Junior High School is a critical step in shaping the future of the school. This leader will play a pivotal role in the initial staffing process, ensuring that the right team is in place to support students and staff. Additionally, the principal will work closely with architects, builders, and stakeholders to align the building's design and functionality with the needs of the staff, students, and the broader community.

PROJECTED MILESTONES
January 6, 2025
Following the established process for hiring campus principals,  A selection committee will be formed to review all applicants, conduct interviews for the new Jr High School Principal and provide district leadership with feedback.

January 10, 2025
Begin process to solicit feedback from community concerning the selection of a new Jr High School Principal.

January  23, 2025
Principal selected and offered.

January 30 2025
Principal hired.

To ensure current staff have the first opportunity to transition into roles at the new Junior High School, all certified and administrative positions will be posted internally before being opened to external applicants. This approach values the expertise and dedication of our existing team while fostering a seamless transition for students and staff.

PROJECTED MILESTONES
February 1, 2025
Postings for all certified staff (core teachers, elective and CTE teachers, ELD, Special Education, etc.), and administrative staff required for the 2025-2026 school year posted for internal candidates only.  List of positions sent to ACMS and KMS staff.

As part of our commitment to supporting and retaining existing staff, transfer opportunities for classified positions at the new Junior High School will be offered internally before considering external candidates. This ensures that our current classified staff, who bring invaluable experience and dedication to the district, have the first opportunity to fill these critical roles.  During the 2024 CCSEA negotiations, a process was established for the transfer of classified staff. 

PROJECTED MILESTONES
February 1, 2025
Classified staff at ACMS and KMS will be notified of transfer opportunities to the new Junior High School for the 2025–2026 school year based on district-wide seniority, following the pre-established process outlined in the CCSEA agreement. Staff will have four weeks to accept or decline the transfer offer.

Building on the transparency established in Phase 3, Adams 14 will release the number of FTE (full-time equivalent) positions available at all elementary schools, pre-kindergarten schools, Lester Arnold High School, and Adams City High School. This posting ensures that staff across the district are informed of available opportunities and can plan accordingly.

PROJECTED MILESTONES
March 1, 2025
FTE for all elementary and secondary schools (LAHS and ACHS) will be posted on line in the HR-Resource section of the website.   Human Resources will begin posting known vacancies for internal and external applicants at elementary and secondary schools.  

The internal staffing process for the new Junior High School ensures that opportunities are offered equitably and in alignment with both the certified and classified agreements.

PROJECTED MILESTONES
March 1, 2025
All classified that were offered a transfer to the new Jr. High School and accepted will be notified in writing confirming the transfer for the 2025-2026 school year.   All certified staff who applied for a position at the new Jr. High School, who met certification requirements, completed an application, were interviewed and were offered a position at the new Jr. High School will be notified in writing confirming their transfer to the new school for the 2025-2026 school year.  

The staffing process will shift and focus will be on filling any remaining positions at the new Junior High School. Positions not filled by internal applicants, as well as positions where internal applicants were offered and declined, will now be opened to external candidates.

PROJECTED MILESTONES
March 1, 2025

Certified Positions:
All unfilled certified staff positions will be posted externally, providing opportunities for candidates outside the district to apply and join the Adams 14 team at the new Jr. High School. 

Classified Positions:
All unfilled classified staff positions will be posted externally, providing opportunities for candidates both inside and outside the district to apply and join the Adams 14 team at the new Jr. High School.