A new program developed by the City of Santa Fe area businesses, the teacher’s union, and Santa Fe Public Schools gives municipal employees the opportunity to work at district schools in exchange for four hours per month of paid leave.
In effect since Sept. 28, the initiative is an effort to address the staffing shortage at Santa Fe schools, KRQE reported.
“Everyone who can be is covering absences in classrooms,” Kate Noble, the president of the Santa Fe School Board, told the station. “It seems impossible to get subs; retirements are up.”
The Santa Fe School District said there are 20 to 40 vacancies, which is similar to the past, but more help is needed this year because of COVID-19 safe practices and quarantines.
Partners told KRQE the program not only supports education staff but enriches the community off-campus as well.
City employees can lend their assistance by making themselves available for lunchtime, pick-up duties, library duties and tutoring.
“I think it’s going bridge the gap between the schools, the city and the community and bring us all together and bring us all as one,” Hilario Larry Chavez, superintendent at Santa Fe Public Schools, told the station.