A school district in southeastern New Mexico struggling to recruit and keep teachers has reduced its advance degree requirements.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports that the Hobbs Municipal School Board voted last week to suspend the district's master's requirement policy.
Under that policy, new teachers must earn a master's degree within six years of their hiring.
Superintendent T.J. Parks says he supported the policy but the current status of hiring new teachers was dismal.
That's because the region's oil boom has made it difficult for the district to keep qualified staff as the student population skyrockets.
Board member Peggy Appleton says even though a master's degree is no longer required, teachers still will be encouraged to obtain one.
Information from: Hobbs News-Sun.
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