Under the current policies and practices of Randolph County, Spanish Immersion teachers have no option except to return to their home country after their initial 5-year term is complete. Randolph County Schools in no way encourages or supports these teachers to continue their employment in the school system or to extend the residency in the United States. There are avenues by which the teachers, if they are so inclined, could extend their residence and employment, but to date Randolph County Schools has refused all requests.

The teacher exchange program is managed through partnerships with third party companies, such as Participate and Global Learning. It has been the position of Randolph County Schools that the county has no recourse to extend the teachers’ contracts due to the policies and contracts of these third-party companies. However, there are teachers whose 5-year term ended in Randolph County and they were able to find employment and visa sponsorship in another school system in North Carolina. This proves that it is possible.

Steps for extending contract:

1. Teacher must apply for and receive a waiver from their home country. This makes them eligible for H1 visa sponsorship.

2. The school system must sponsor their visa and extend their contract.

3. The teacher could then be sponsored for citizenship in the future.

Throughout their terms with Randolph County Schools, our Spanish Immersion teachers have proven to be competent, caring, and every bit as much a part of our community and important to our children as any teacher. We believe it is in the best interest of all parties involved to offer the opportunity for these teachers and their families to stay past 5 years.

• Spanish Immersion students will experience greater continuity in education, thereby improving the quality of their education.

• The school will deal with less teacher turnover, removing some of the constant need to train new hires.

• The teachers and their families will reap the benefits and opportunities afforded to them in the US and will be able to remain a part of the community of which they are a valuable part.

We, the undersigned, as constituents of Randolph County and members of the Hopewell Elementary School community, hereby formally request the following:

1. That Randolph County Schools act immediately to sponsor Sra. Barbara Diaz and Sr. Francisco Cappai so that they may remain our kindergarten and fifth grade teachers at Hopewell Elementary School. As the bookends to our children’s Spanish Immersion education at Hopewell, their experience and expertise are invaluable for our students just starting school and those transitioning to middle school.

2. That Randolph County Schools put in place policies and procedures that will provide concrete criteria, opportunities, and a clearly defined path for our Spanish Immersion teachers to extend their employment in Randolph County and their residency in the United States.