by 
Jeff Gregorich, far left, meets with other superintendents in Gila County.
Gila County Superintendent Roy Sandoval recently brought together local school administrators and legislators for a conversation about some of the challenges that rural Arizona educators are tackling every day. Representatives David Cook and T.J. Shope as well as Senator Frank Pratt joined Gila County school administrators for the meeting on Friday, Feb. 10 at Globe High School.
“We’re really trying to bring everyone to the table on a regular basis,” says Gila County Superintendent Roy Sandoval. “Establishing an ongoing relationship and trust with our representatives helps ensure that the needs of Gila County Schools take a front seat at the state level.”
The conversation centered around creative ways to combat the teacher shortage, including proposed legislation that would provide tuition waivers to folks interested in becoming teachers in rural Arizona. The group discussed strategies for lifting up current school employees through the ranks to become teachers. “We have to grow our own teachers in rural communities,” said Sandoval. “In the end, doing that strengthens our schools as well as our communities.”
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
by by