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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
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LITTLE LIGHTNING ROD
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Need a job? Kyrene School District’s got plenty BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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@AhwatukeeFN |
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yrene School District is grappling with the same shortage of job applicants that many businesses are facing. Shortages are impacting the district in almost every conceivable way as it struggles with scores of vacancies at almost every job level – certified substitutes, instructional assistants, bus drivers, crossing guards, lunchroom aides and front office support. “These positions are critical to helping our students and our schools succeed,” Superintendent Laura Toenjes told the Kyrene Govern-
ing Board last week in what she termed a call to the community at large. Many of the available jobs are ideal for retirees, high school and college students seeking part-time gigs and even people who might be looking for some benefits, Toenjes said. “What I want the public to hear is that in many of these roles, the hours are very flexible,” she told the community while addressing the board. “And if your child attends one of our schools, it’s very likely that you could be placed at your child’s school, which is really exciting and another unique opportunity. “If you have experience in multiple areas, what Talent Management can do is work with
you. If you want more hours and benefits are important, even though the job of say, lunch duty, might only be 10 hours a week, we can piece together other positions … to be able to get people to 30 hours, which means you're then benefit-eligible.” The vacancies are doing far more than creating havoc for already stretched teachers, administrators and other district employees who are struggling to cover the responsibilities left untended by the empty positions. They also impact many of the district’s 13,000-plus students in one way or the other.
see KYRENE page 21
Ahwatukee boosters hope for a bounce-back season
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2021 football season preview:
GAME ON
See Sports ......................... Page 37 BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
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NO FLOOD FOR NOW
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Ready to take to the field for the 2021 season are the following Mountain Pointe High players, clockwise from number 7: Amier Boyd, Devon Sparks, Jordan Huff, Isaiah Ice-Robinson, Averien Turner Jr., Jack Plote and Chris Arviso. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)
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he COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on businesses last fall, forcing many to limit their donations and sponsorships for both Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe high school athletic programs. That cost team booster clubs, which support the athletes and their teams and many athletic programs. Some clubs in the region saw as much as a 50 percent decline from 2019 revenues – an astronomical hit for bigger teams. But as high school football season begins Friday in Ahwatukee and throughout Arizona,
see FANS page 14
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