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Legacy Academy enrollment grows but staffing gaps persist; district reports recruitment activity
Summary
District officials said Legacy Academy has launched with vocational and culinary components serving 17 students and that staffing vacancies remain a recruitment priority.
District leaders told the Board of Education on Oct. 14 that Legacy Academy — the district’s alternative program with culinary and vocational components — has launched successfully but continues to face staffing shortfalls.
Superintendent Dr. Vasquez Matos and program staff said Legacy is serving 17 students with three additional placement decisions pending. The program has a vocational culinary and nutrition track, a school garden and a food-safety certification course in its early weeks; students may earn an alternative science credit, officials said.
Harry Schneider, human resources manager, reported district staffing developments: of 50 employees hired in September, 21 (42 percent) were rehires. He said the district is using ESS and building substitutes to cover current vacancies and that two biology teacher positions at the high school had attracted three certified applicants in the prior two weeks and were in reference‑check stages.
Schneider said a Legacy coordinator search produced two finalists in separate recruitment cycles who both declined offers; he said the district believed financial considerations played a role. The district is continuing recruitment for the coordinator and other specialized roles, including alternative‑ed and special education teachers.
Dr. Vasquez Matos and Legacy staff said temporary coverage and rotating support have been used to sustain instruction while recruitment continues. The district is pursuing postings statewide and nationally for several positions and reported progress in filling some special‑education slots.
Board members asked for updates on recruitment approaches and whether floating positions (district‑level specialists who serve multiple schools) could be structured to attract candidates preferring a fixed assignment. Administrators said they would review assignment models and report back.
Ending: The district said it will continue active recruitment for Legacy and other hard‑to‑fill positions and will provide status updates to the board.
