The Grants Cibola County School Board held a meeting on April 23, lasting approximately two hours. During this time survey results were presented, travel approved, donations approved, and recognitions given.
Survey Results
GCCS Executive Director of Finance and Operations, Cooper Jones, said, “The budget survey is still live. This is a snapshot of right now. So, if a thousand more people go vote, these numbers are going to change and they’re going to move around.” The day following this meeting, the survey closed. Results shown at the meeting are as follows. Demographics: Respondent Categories: Employee: 42.4% Parent/Guardian: 38.5% Student: 17.4% Community Member: Remainder Ethnic Background: Hispanic: 40.3% Filipino: 10.1% Caucasian: 20% Other: 29.6% Acoma: 10.3% Laguna: Less than Other Navajo: 8% School Participation: Grants High School: 37.8% Laguna Acoma High School: 6.7% Early College High School: 2.5% Los Alamitos Middle School: 30.9% MesaView Elementary School: 19.1% Mt. Taylor Elementary School: 11.5% Milan Elementary School: 9.8% Bluewater Elementary School: 2.7% San Rafael Elementary School: 2.5% Seboyeta Elementary School: 1.5% Cubero Elementary School: 5.8% None of the above: 4.8% Top 5 Student-Focused Priorities: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math): 73.5% Student Support Services (Tutoring, etc.): 69.1% Student Activities (Spelling Bee, etc.): 71.4% Student Health Services (Counseling, etc.): 63.7% CTE (Career Technical Education): 51.9% Arts and Music Programs: 51.9% Gifted and Special Education: 44.1% Cultural Programs: 34.8% Top 3 District-Wide Priorities: Student Safety/Security: 78.2% Student Nutrition/Food Service: 70.4% Maintenance of Facilities: 53.4% Technology: 42.1% Staff Professional Development: 35.6% Transportation: 26.8% Student Attendance and Readiness: Attendance: 87.9% agree that being in school every day is crucial for success. Readiness for Real World: 58.1% agree that high school graduates are ready for college and careers. School Climate: Students feel safe: 61.3% Students feel supported: 54% Students are engaged: 41.9% Students are excited to learn: 29.1% None of the above: 22.1% Academic Performance: Reading Level: 51.3% disagree that current reading levels meet grade-level expectations. Math Level: 53.7% disagree that current math levels meet gradelevel expectations.
Science Fair
Cody Hayes, a teacher at Grants High School requested out of state travel to Phoenix, Arizona for the International Science Fair, from May 9-16.
Superintendent Lane Widner noted, “This year we have four students who have qualified.”
Hayes explained, “Two weekends ago we took a group of about 50 students from Grants Cibola county schools to the state science and engineering fair. While there we had over 15 students recognized with awards at the state fair from the elementary school up through the high school. They won a combined 25 awards if my account is correct.” The travel was approved.
LAHS HOSA Donation
“We are asking again to spend this money on uniforms,” Stephanie Ramsey, from HOSA Laguna Acoma High School, said about the $2,551.00 donated to them. “We noticed when we went to state, having our kids in HOSA uniforms made them feel a lot more confident; a lot more able to compete. They felt more proud of themselves and not just second class. All the kids were dressed like this… So, we want to be able to spend that money again on uniforms for them.” The board approved this request.
GHS Recognitions
GHS Wrestling coach Tommy Gabaldon said, “Pirates wrestling is building disciplined, productive young adults who will make a positive impact of our community now and in the future.” He went on to explain that the season began with 23 boys and 23 girls, finishing with 21 in each. “So, we did real well, showing a strong commitment and a retention. Some results on the mat: our boys had seven state qualifiers and we placed one. The girls had six state qualifiers and we placed one… What sets us apart at GHS wrestling is we don’t cut athletes; we build them. We focus on work ethic, leadership, and resilience.”
GHS Powerlifting coach Josh Pacheco thanked assistant coaches and volunteers. Pacheco then explained that this is their third official year being a sport at GHS and that they have grown a lot, starting with 21 participants and now having 64 athletes. “This year we had a total for state qualifiers, we had a total of 10 female athletes qualify for state and 9 male athletes qualify for state… We went from 14th and ended in 5th at state championship which is really impressive nobody on you team actually did lower… than sixth place which again it’s kind of unheard of for the most part which is really impressive.” He explained that the boys team placed fifth and the girls team placed third in the recent competition. Hopeful to place first next year, Pacheco concluded, “[We’ve] got a really good shot, a really good opportunity, a lot of young athletes and I’m very, very proud of it. “
SELAward & Edu-Champion Belt Recipients
This month’s SEL award recipients include Anissa Shaver, a drama and English teacher at Grants High School, whom Superintendent Widner explained “[has] been instrumental in creating the book program for kids annually. They do plays, they do musicals, our kids get to travel… She’s also a strong english teacher… has worked a lot with the PED on standards and standards alignment.”
The other SEL award recipient is Gigi Kennedy. Widner explained that she is “an educational assistant with youth our early childhood kids… [She] is very hands-on and loving with the kids… She’s pretty amazing to have in the classroom.”
The edu-champion belt recipient was Tia Polk, “A wonderful lady who has been a bus driver for the district for many, many years. She also works very closely with central office. She works with teachers[,] educational assistance[;] our union, and worked closely on the union negotiations and we are very proud to report that we did have a collective bargaining agreement that is good for our employees,” Widner explained. Upcoming
May 1, 2026: PD Staff Only No Students May 5: Regular School Board Meeting May 8: Staff Appreciation 8:00 A.M. May 15: Early College High School Graduation 10:00 A.M.
May 22: Grants High School Graduation 6:00 P.M. May 23: Laguna Acoma High School Graduation 9:00 A.M. May 25: Memorial Day District Closed May 28: End Spring Semester