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Parents press board on teacher turnover and lack of clear communication
Summary
Multiple parents told the board they are worried about persistent staff turnover, gaps in classroom coverage and poor follow-up from administration; the superintendent asked for a directive to craft a communication plan to address stakeholder information needs.
Holly Lopez and Julian Lucas, parents of students in the district, used the public-comment period to press the Jemez Valley Public Schools board about high staff turnover, unclear notification and a lack of follow-up from the district.
"We keep losing people consistently," Holly Lopez said, describing a classroom where four staff members were covering what had been one teacher role and saying that parents are not receiving clear answers from administrators. "I don't feel like I get any clear answers or any follow-up." (Holly Lopez, public commenter)
Julian Lucas raised related concerns about staff resignations and administrative leave, and asked who pays for investigations into staff conduct. He said he has heard the name "Dr. Kamara" repeatedly in the context of investigations and asked whether the board is looking into the pattern and how the district is replacing staff.
During agenda discussion following public comment, Superintendent Dr. Cohen asked the board for a directive for her team to draft a communication plan to improve how the district notifies stakeholders during events such as school closures and incidents, while maintaining legal and privacy protections. Several board members voiced support for giving staff that directive so a plan can be presented to the board for consideration.
Board members and staff also discussed operational responses to turnover: mentorship programs for new teachers and administrators (including a licensed administrator mentor) and recruitment steps the district is taking. The district said it will provide a list of new hires to board members and work on a plan to welcome and introduce staff to the board at the start of the school year or during identified orientation events.
The board made a motion to give staff the directive to draft a communication plan and the motion was seconded and carried. No specific policy was adopted during the meeting; staff were asked to return with a written plan for future action.
