School board elects new officers
GRANTS, N.M. – The Grants/Cibola County School District board held their final session for 2020 on Dec. 15. Superintendent Max Perez reported good news, fewer positive cases of COVID-19 documented in the past two weeks, and bad news.
The bad news included a drop in enrollment of 286 students compared to December 2019. This equates to a revenue loss of $2.6 million for the district budget. The superintendent pointed out that declining enrollment in public schools is a statewide phenomenon. He will be discussing Fiscal Year 2021-22 funding issues with state legislators. Perez expressed hope that the legislature will allow G/CCSD to use previous enrollment data for the funding formula.
Human Resources Director Dwayne Toivanen confirmed that reduced enrollment will factor into budgetary decisions about filling positions that are currently vacant.
The HR director added that six teaching positions currently remain unfilled and seven more will be va cant by Jan. 7, the first day of classes for spring semester. He commented that the district has filled 40 vacant positions since the beginning of the current academic year.
“The pandemic has affected employees’ decisions about retirement,” explained the director who added that factors such as caring for ill family members have prompted some staff members’ choices.
COVID data
Superintendent Perez explained that the G/CCSD website includes a tab, COVID case summary, that keeps community members informed about the number of positive cases within the district.
A total of 77 positive tests have been recorded to date; 39 were students and the remainder were employees. Data for the first three months of the school year included August, three cases, September, two positive tests, and October reported six cases. Community spread resulted in 45 cases in November and there were 21 to date for December, according to Perez.
Board elections
The board reorganization resulted in changes for all three officer positions: president, vice president, secretary. Only one nomination was made for president, Ron Ortiz, one for vice president, Richard Jones, and one for secretary, Dion Sandoval. Each was approved by a majority vote.
Dr. Guy Archambeau, president, congratulated Ortiz and immediately ceded the floor to the new president. Member Emily Hunt-Dailey had served as vice president and Ortiz had previously been secretary.
Facial recognition equipment
Finance and Business Director Steve Maldonado described the benefits of facial recognition equipment. Installation at all district facilities allows hands-free temperature checks for signs of illness, tracking who is in the building including recording student attendance, and assists with secure keyless entry access. The individual’s information is protected by federal law (the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), according to Maldonado. Superintendent Perez recommended the purchase of 30 units. The board unanimously approved the purchase.
Indian Policies and Procedures
Director E. Renee Sanchez, academic services, reported that the proposed 2021-22 Indian Policies and
Procedures had been thoroughly reviewed by Pueblo of Laguna, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, and district officials. She noted that the proposed IPP updated and strengthened the previous plan. The board unanimously approved the 2021-22 IPP.
Grants Branch presentation
Dr. Marlene Chavez-Toivanen, NMSU-Grants vice president of academic affairs and associate campus director, and Dr. Ken Van Winkle, NMSU-Las Cruces, provided updates on educational opportunities and identified degree and certificate programs available to area residents. The school district and local community college have collaborated on various endeavors and officials from both entities said they anticipate expanding the relationship.
Announcements
• December 21- January 4 – Winter Break for students
• December 24-25 – District closed
• December 31-January 1 – District closed
• January 4-5 – Professional Development Day (No students)
• January 7 - Spring classes begin (in Remote Mode)
Upcoming meetings
• Tuesday, Jan. 5, meeting via teleconferencing, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19, meeting via teleconferencing, 5:30 p.m.
G/CCSD board meetings, which are scheduled for the first and third Tuesdays of each month, are held via teleconferencing. The Zoom technology allows board members, administrative staff, and community members to participate in each session.
Visit https://www.gccs.k12.nm.us/ or call 505-285-2603 for more information.