WORCESTER, Mass. - Most students in Worcester go back to school on Monday, and it also marks Rachel Monarrez's first day of school as the new superintendent.
"There's nothing better than our scholars bright eyed and anxious for the school year," Monarrez said. "Our educators are rested and schools are just ready to open their arms."
What You Need To Know
- Monday means back to school for most students in Worcester and the first day of school for Worcester's new superintendent Rachel Monarrez
- The district is welcoming more than 100 new teachers to the school system, but there's still plenty of open jobs Monarrez said she's eager to fill
- The district increased the daily pay rate for substitute teachers from $85 to $110
- One thing on Dr. Monarrez's to do list is fixing the hiring process for the Worcester public schools and diversifying the work force
The district is welcoming more than 100 new teachers to the school system this year, but there's still plenty of open jobs Monarrez said she's eager to fill.
"If you're out there and you're interested, we welcome you to come and be a part of out family," Monarrez said.
The plan right now is to pull qualified staff from district offices to fill any open positions. They've also increased the daily pay rate for substitute teachers from $85 to $110.
"We were not paying them what they deserved," Monarrez said. "We were not getting them. They weren't coming to spend time with our children."
One of the key areas on Monarrez's to do list is fixing the hiring process for the Worcester public schools and diversifying the work force.
"We want our staff to reflect our students and we want the highest caliber," Monarrez said. "It goes hand in hand, so a pipeline for our community to be reflected in our schools in a variety of capacities"."
Along with diversifying the workforce, Monarrez is looking to add support resources for students and their families. She also wants to get more school partnerships throughout the community.