Working Climate

WORKING CLIMATE

Somerset County Public Schools consist of five elementary, one intermediate, two high schools and the J.M. Tawes Technology and Career Center. All facilities are well maintained.

There are approximately 237 teachers throughout the school system serving about 3,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12. Class sizes range from an average of 25:1 at the elementary level to 20:1 at the secondary level. The teaching staff receives assistance from a variety of support services personnel and administrators.

Teachers work a total of 190 days beginning in late August through early June. The work day consists of 73/4 hours, including a thirty (30) minute, duty- free lunch period. The yearly calendar for support services personnel (custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, food service workers, etc.) varies according to the particular assignment. Administrators work 12 months with allowances for vacation leave.

Full -time secondary teachers are assigned at least five (5) unassigned instructional periods per week. Full-time elementary teachers are scheduled 150 minutes (225 minutes when possible) of planning time per week. The high schools currently utilize a four period, block schedule day.

Teachers and administrators are allotted four (4) days per year for business leave and three (3) illness in family days per year. Teachers receive ten (10) sick leave days per year, administrators receive twelve (12). Support services and leave benefits are determined relative to the number of day/hours assigned for a specific job. Additional leave benefits are available for bereavement, military service and religious holidays.

Somerset County Public Schools takes pride in providing a caring and nurturing environment where employees can grow personally and professionally. Our slogan, "Success Nothing Less" applies not only to student achievement but also to professional development. With its unique size, Somerset County Public Schools offers individual attention, not only during the hiring process, but also throughout their career.