US school districts tackle staffing and engagement as new year begins

Albuquerque Public Schools convened about 7,000 teachers and staff at an educator summit to align goals for the upcoming school year, emphasizing student engagement, collaboration and critical thinking. Superintendent Dr. Gabriella Duran Blakey highlighted recent student achievements, including 77 associate degrees, 733 industry certifications and more than $310,000 earned through paid internships.

In El Paso, Texas, the Texas Education Agency reported that roughly 820 teachers across the three major districts left their positions during the last fiscal year, a loss of about 10% of the teaching workforce. Over the past seven years, full‑time teaching positions fell 10%, raising concerns about larger class sizes, reduced individualized instruction and broader economic effects for the region.