The Job Security Play Most Districts Miss (And It's Federally Protected) - Denise Rahe

The Job Security Play Most Districts Miss (And It's Federally Protected) Episode Description **Here's the surprising truth that could transform your district's approach to school psychology staffing: there's a federally mandated, federally funded position that comes with ironclad job security—yet most districts aren't leveraging it strategically.** In this eye-opening episode, we explore why the school psychology shortage is reaching a critical point and uncover the one staffing model that could ease the burden on your leadership team. Joining us is **Denise Rahe, a part-time school psychologist with Colorado River BOCES**, who brings decades of experience in special education assessment and a refreshingly candid perspective on what works—and what doesn't—in today's staffing landscape. Denise shares her journey from full-time burnout to a more sustainable part-time model, and reveals the hidden advantages (and trade-offs) that most district leaders don't realize exist. ### What You'll Learn: **In this episode, you'll discover:** - Why school psychology positions are federally protected and funded differently than other district roles—and how to use this to your advantage - The critical staffing ratio that most districts aren't even close to meeting (and what it means for your students) - How to structure part-time school psychology roles for maximum impact without sacrificing collaboration - The real cost of losing institutional knowledge and day-to-day relationships with staff - Practical insights into attracting and retaining school psychologists when salary isn't your strongest selling point Key Takeaways: ✓ **Federal funding provides true job security**: School psychology positions are mandated and federally funded, insulating them from district budget cuts—a stability many educators crave. ✓ **The shortage is severe and growing**: With recommendations of one school psychologist per 500 students, most districts fall drastically short, creating unsustainable workloads. ✓ **Part-time flexibility has real appeal**: For experienced professionals, part-time arrangements can improve work-life balance and retention—but require thoughtful implementation. ✓ **Collaboration suffers in isolation**: Remote or part-time models create communication gaps that ripple through special education processes and staff relationships. ✓ **Job security may matter more than salary**: In a competitive market, the guarantee of federally-protected employment could be your strongest recruitment tool. What Denise Has to Say: *"There is job security is what I would say to somebody. Your job is federally mandated and paid for with federal money. So that's very different. It doesn't dip into the district's budget."* *"We definitely need more people in the field. The recommendation is one in 500, which we're not even near that with our social workers, let alone us providing just the assessment piece."* *"Not having that day-to-day contact with the staff, you miss out on some things. Sometimes things get lost in translation through emails, and like 10 emails down the road you finally get to where you think, 'Okay, we're both on the same page,' but things like that."* --- **If you're a superintendent, special education director, or district leader wrestling with staffing shortages, this conversation will challenge how you think about school psychology positions.** Denise's candid insights into the real benefits—and real challenges—of creative staffing models could be the strategic advantage your district needs. **Don't miss this episode. Listen now and subscribe to stay ahead of the staffing solutions that matter most.**