Photo Provided New service employees for Wood County Schools took part in a three-day orientation this week as they prepare for the start of the new school year.

PARKERSBURG –Wood County Schools held a three-day orientation for new service personnel this week in preparation for the new school year starting Aug. 23.

Around 20 new employees filled their paperwork, received their ID badges and took the SafeSchool training that allows employees to complete safety training in a variety of areas through an online program.

“I think it went fantastic,” Kaleb Lawrence, assistant superintendent of operations, said. “Some of these people haven’t worked in a school system before. Just having finance come over and talk about payroll dates and how to take days off, HR going over employee code of conduct, today we had safety with Don Brown (coordinator of safety and security) talking about drills … It’s been beneficial and we’ve got a lot of positive feedback from everyone.”

Lawrence said the orientation wasn’t only for new employees, but also for those who might have transferred into a new department or are interested in another area of work.

“During the small groups they actually got to go around to the different groups and kind of learn about those processes,” Lawrence said. He said the hope is to have these orientations every month as the school system hires new employees throughout the year.

Photo Provided Kaleb Lawrence, assistant superintendent of operations, speaks to a group of new employees Thursday at the Wood County Tech Center during service personnel orientation.

“That’s our initial goal,” Lawrence said. “We really want to see how this is going to play out. Once this is over (Friday) I think we’ll meet back again and say, ‘What do we need to fix from the first run? What can we do better? Can we make it two days instead of three?’ We’re going to really try and streamline this process and make it beneficial for all.” Today, some new employees, such as custodians, went to their schools and shadow someone, while others, such as teacher’s aids and kitchen staff, will have to wait on Aug. 17 when other employees return.

Lawrence said they will get the chance to see where things are stored, get a feel for the building and ask any questions ahead of the first day of school.

“I’m proud of all the work to put this together,” Lawrence said. “It’s been needed, and we’re glad to get this started and hope to improve it to where it continues in the future. It’s beneficial and helpful for everybody.”

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com