PARIS — Nearly 50 new staff members will be in place when SAD 17 schools open next week, Assistant Superintendent Patrick Hartnett told directors meeting Monday night.

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, seventh- and ninth-grade students return to classes. All others will begin Thursday, Aug. 28.

Hartnett said new staff member make up about 8 percent of the 600 total. There may be a few more hires in the coming week, he said.

Last school year, about the same number of new staff members were hired.

“That’s a 20 percent turnover in the past two years,” Hartnett said. Fourteen of those new hires were approved by directors Monday. They include one teacher each at West Paris, Waterford, Hebron and Paris elementary schools and two at Oxford Elementary School.

While the turnover number seems high, Hartnett said it is not unusual and is due to many variables, including an older workforce that is beginning to retire, a young group that tends to move more and a few probationary staff members that were not considered a good fit for the district’s needs. Additionally, there are not as many young people entering the profession as in previous years.

This year, at least 13 people retired and, with the early retirement incentive the district has in place, that number may increase, he said.

A total of 25 staff members have been granted transfers within the district.

Students and parents can meet the new staff members at all the schools during upcoming open houses at each school.

ldixon@sunjournal,com.