GRANTS, N.M. The Grants/Cibola County School board meeting that took place on April 7, lasted nearly two hours. During this time, an update concerning Mesa View was given, legal services for Visa sponsorships were discussed, and travels were approved.
Mesa View Update
Executive director of finance and operations, Cooper Jones, explained that the Mesa View project phase one is 87-92% complete. ”They’re doing punch list stuff,” Jones explained. “So, making sure that all the doors hang properly and that there’s no chips in the walls.”
Phase two involves the removal of belongings in the former building. The demolition will cost $308,215.05.
Legal Services for Visa Sponsorships
Jacqueline Jones, the Deputy Superintendent and Executive Director of Human Resources, explained the process of supporting teachers transitioning from J1 to H1B visas and eventually to permanent residency. This involves ensuring legal compliance, providing early HR notifications, and maintaining strong performance standards. Jones explained that HR plays a crucial role by offering guidance and allocating the necessary budget for these processes. Essential steps include documentation, evaluations, and principal recommendations, while the Irwin Law Firm manages the visa processes.
According to Jones, there has recently been an increase in requests for experience exceeding $60,000, which is the annual budget, with additional expenses approved for the Irwin Law Firm.“Despite an increase in expenses regarding visa sponsorship for out international students, the overall legal expenses has been in a sharp decline… ” Copper Jones said “So we’re spending less money in other areas with legal expenses.”
Travel
SkillsUSA students from Grants High School were approved for travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the national SkillsUSA competition from June 1 to 6, 2026. Ron Gonzales, from GHS, was requesting this travel, highlighting the students’ hard work, dedication, and success in qualifying for this competition. The district will provide financial assistance for travel, lodging, and other expenses. The team consists of four students and three advisors.
They will compete against around 30 other state-accredited teams. The competition involves a two-hour scriptwriting session based on provided resources, followed by a single-take video production. The team included two anchors, a floor manager, and a tech manager to handle the execution. Unlike the state completion, which allows multiple takes within 50 minutes, the national competition requires a single take, adding to the challenge.
Gonzales explained that this experience allows students to gain valuable skills, meet peers, and build camaraderie. Advisors will observe the national completion standards and assess student potential. It was noted that Grants High School students have achieved gold, silver, and bronze medals in the past.
GHS girls basketball head coach Jesi Rael sought approval for the girls’ basketball team to attend For Lewis College basketball camp from June 4th to June 6th. The team will stay at Fort Lewis College, compete with teams from Colorado and Arizona, and socialize with college athletes. The school pays for entry fees, while the players cover overnight stays. This out of state trip was approved by the board.
Upcoming
April 23, 2026: Regular GCCS Board Meeting