Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Staff, schools rising to meet new challenges

Although none of us would like to repeat 2020, we did gain some valuable skills in having to learn how to effectively function in a variety of new ways, both in face-to-face (socially distanced) situations as well as in virtual environments. Our technology skills and knowledge blossomed overnight in just about every arena, including our Employee Services Department (formerly known as Human Resources).

After returning to a more or less normal working situation, many businesses, offices, and other entities have struggled to keep adequately staffed. The same holds true in education. It's been a challenge to find teachers, substitute teachers, assistants, clerical staff, custodians, and so forth. Funny to think that some years ago, we continually had waiting lists for possible employees to come work for Clovis schools.

While times have changed, with new challenges arising, we never compromise our standards. We naturally comply with state and federal requirements, but it's important to us to maintain the high standards we're known for since we are serving our community's children.

Our Employee Services folks are ever creative and innovative. In past years they've both attended and hosted job fairs. With each experience they've picked up ideas and incorporated new strategies into their own planning. In October, they decided to host another job fair. They'd previously hosted job fairs and found them quite successful. Given the ongoing need for teachers, subs, educational assistants, and other positions, it was worth a try.

Employee Services amazing staff, including Tomi Chavez and Patricia Wright, set up the event in our Central Office Board Room with colorful displays, decorations, decorated baskets with treats, and bottles of water.

Mandy Carpenter, an executive director in Employee Services, took some time to explain. Some of our principals had volunteered to help out at the job fair. After enquiries came in resulting from radio advertisements, Employee Services staff pre-screened potential employees and set up interview schedules for job fair day. Tables were arranged conveniently and CMS principals from both elementary and secondary school sites were stationed at strategic locations to conduct the interviews.

The arrangement and available staff provided the perfect venue for the ongoing interviews. During a break, I chatted briefly with Nicole Hahn, principal at Cameo Elementary, and Brenda Benfield, principal at Highland Elementary schools.

Hahn shared, “It's actually really nice for us to be able to interview candidates. We [principals] work very collaboratively, and if someone is not suitable for one school, they may be perfect for another.” Benfield continued, “I've worked job fairs in the past, and our processes and procedures have become so organized and smooth, it's great to work at these.”

The results were great, too; there was a great turnout, and over 80% of candidates were hired on the spot!

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the Instructional Technology Coordinator for the Clovis Municipal Schools and can be reached at:

[email protected]