Students receive scholarships for month-long lab internships, exposing them to cutting-edge research environments.The district also maintains a Business Community Steering Committee that guides school curriculum development. “Our business community team helps guide our schools of,” says McFarland. “They provide ideas about what work looks like in the real world. Our students visit their businesses, we bring in speakers, and they help develop projects—like our business students working on food truck projects with local food truck operators.” For college-bound students, the district partners with the University of New Mexico-Gallup for an early college program.“We transport students from across our district to Gallup where they get an opportunity to earn an associate’s degree before graduating high school,” Hyatt notes. The district even builds community service into its pathways. “We partner with Gallup Solar for one school that’s 104 miles away,” McFarland says. “Seniors work with the community installing solar panels they’ve built during the year, donating them to elderly residents to power oxygen machines or refrigerators for medication. With Southwest Indian Foundation, our students learn to build complete homes that are donated to community members in need.” ATTRACTING AND RETAINING QUALITY EDUCATORS IN RURAL AMERICA Rural education nationwide faces a persistent challenge: attracting and retaining qualified teachers. Gallup-McKinley has transformed its approach to this problem, reducing annual teacher turnover from nearly 50% to creating an environment where educators now stay an average of six to seven years. “We have communities where we’re asking teachers to come that don’t have a grocery store within 40 miles or a gas station,” Hyatt explains.“They have to make sure they have enough gas from 40 miles away ty.stacy@robertstruck.com robertstruck.com ROBERTS TRUCK CENTER Is your premier dealership for new IC BUS and both new and used commercial trucks, parts, and expert service across the Southwest. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we provide industry-leading solutions to keep your fleet running efficiently. 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05
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