Rochester Community Schools has brought on more than 60 new educators ahead of the Aug. 24 first day of school, adding staff to classrooms across the district's 22 buildings in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township.
The district announced the hires Wednesday, Aug. 12, sharing photos of new staff gathered in what appeared to be an orientation session. The new educators will provide teaching, instruction and care for students district-wide, RCS said. Teachers report Tuesday, Aug. 18, six days before students arrive.
RCS serves nearly 15,000 students across 13 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools, including Rochester, Rochester Adams and Stoney Creek. The district's website lists 1,867 teachers and staff on a $233 million operating budget.
The district did not specify how many of the new educators are classroom teachers versus support staff, or which schools or grade levels are receiving the most new hires.
Hiring push continues
The announcement follows a support staff job fair the district held Monday, Aug. 10, at Rochester High School, where RCS recruited paraeducators, caregivers, secretaries and technology staff. The district is also filling part-time caregiver positions for school-age care programs at elementary buildings for the 2026-27 year.
The hiring wave comes as RCS prepares to expand programming. The Board of Education approved four new courses for 2026-27, including college-level math electives and advanced placement courses in cybersecurity and business/personal finance. The district is also adding a new high school classroom for students with severe and multiple impairments and expanding elementary autism programming.
Superintendent Nicholas Russo leads the district into the 2026-27 school year. As of a March 2026 count, the board — chaired by acting president Jayson Blake — included Secretary Michelle Bueltel, Treasurer Julie Alspach and trustees Barbara Anness, Carol Beth Litkouhi and Shelley Lauzon, with one seat open.
Key dates for families
- Tuesday, Aug. 18: Teachers' first day
- Monday, Aug. 24: First day of school for all students (half day, grades TK-12)
As we reported Wednesday, RCS high schools are also equipping staff with panic buttons ahead of the Aug. 24 start. New-to-district students in grades 1-12, along with all incoming sixth and ninth graders, picked up Chromebooks Aug. 5-6 at the RCS Administration Center.
