Superintendent: 61 teacher vacancies to start school; district using long-term subs and visa recruitment

Superintendent Joe Griffin told the Santa Fe Public School Board of Education Aug. 14 that the district began the 2025-26 school year with 61 teacher vacancies, including 18 special-education positions.

Griffin said the vacancies were distributed across multiple campuses and that the district's immediate response included placing long-term substitutes, expanding school-based substitute programs, exploring an online live-teaching platform for hard-to-fill middle- and high-school assignments, and expanding international recruitment via J-1 and H-1 visa programs. He also said instructional specialists, principals and other central-office staff were stepping into classrooms to ensure students receive instruction while vacancies are resolved.

Griffin identified five schools with more than five openings (a mix of general education and special education positions): Capital High, Cesar Chavez, Nina Otero, Ortiz and Santa Fe High. He said the district will review staffing again after the 10-day enrollment count and consider reallocating positions where possible.

The superintendent characterized the vacancy rate as higher than usual and said filling positions is a high operational priority. He offered to provide the board with more detailed, written updates on recruitment efforts and vacancy locations.

Separately, Griffin announced the tragic death of a Capital High freshman and offered condolences to the student's family and the school community. The superintendent did not provide details about the circumstances beyond noting the district was supporting the school community.

Speakers quoted in this report include Superintendent Joe Griffin.