Taos HR reports new onboarding automation, substitute training and JROTC interest
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Summary
District HR leaders reported automation of onboarding and payroll workflows, recruitment efforts including virtual job fairs and possible visa sponsorship for hard-to-fill roles, and initial positive student interest in a JROTC program at Taos High School.
Dr. William Royo, presenting on human resources matters, told the Taos Municipal Schools board the district has moved several HR processes online to reduce paperwork and speed hiring.
Royo said the district has automated staff recommendation and onboarding forms with DocuSign, is training staff on the Vision payroll system and has posted for an HR financial specialist to help processing. He noted the district is also tracking vacancies, attending virtual and in-person job fairs, and getting more out-of-state applicants. Royo said the district is investigating J-1 visa pathways and sponsors for long-term vacancies but warned some placement agencies have been under investigation; the district plans to work directly with vetted sponsors to reduce candidate costs and risks.
On substitute teachers, Royo said a new NMPED course is now required for substitute licensing; the district plans to help existing substitutes access the course and to make the training available broadly. Royo also discussed digitizing and archiving decades of personnel files, noting fragile older records may require "white glove" scanning and that a document-retention policy is needed.
The HR presentation also raised a possible JROTC program: Royo said a student survey at the high school showed about 141 students (roughly 20%) indicated interest, above the 50-student minimum to host a unit; staff will visit an existing program to evaluate facilities and program needs.
Next steps: HR will continue onboarding automation, finalize processes for substitute training access, vet visa sponsors carefully, and report back on JROTC feasibility and the digitization/retention approach for older personnel files.