GRANTS, N.M. - The Grants Cibola County School Board convened for its regular meeting on March 2, 2026, for approximately three and a half hours. During this time, they covered contracts, a social media litigation, donations, travel requests, and recognitions.
Facilities, Technology, and Operations
Mesa View Elementary was approved for $141,226.26 contract with Advances Network Management, Inc. for network infrastructure and $117,158.20 for additional design services with Wilson & Company due to project extensions.
The board approved Resolution 2026-02 to extend benefits to employees working 15-20 hours per week, improving recruitment and retention.
Staff Appreciation Day was agreed to be moved from May 1 to May 8, 2026, to better accommodate testing schedules and facility preparations.
Social Media Litigation
Attorney Brian Colón presented on the nationwide litigation addressing the harmful effects of social media on youth mental health. Understanding the Crisis Data shows that around 95% of adolescents engage with at least one social media platform, with approximately 33% using these platforms “almost constantly.”
This common engagement correlates with an unprecedented mental health crisis among young people in the United States. As reported, emerging research increasingly connects this extensive social media usage to mental health struggles faced by youth today. According to Colón’s presentation, teachers, councilors, and mental health professionals are witnessing firsthand the negative outcomes associated with excessive social media use. The gravity of the situation is further illustrated by the fact that suicide rates have increased by 146% in this demographic, with 40% reporting feeling of hopelessness, 20% suicidal ideation, and 9% attempted suicide.
Colón’s presentation elaborated on the potential symptoms of social media addiction. Which can severely affect emotional and social functioning. These symptoms include mood modification (using social media to alter emotional states), salience (an obsessive preoccupation with social media platforms), tolerance (more time spent on social media to achieve the same mood-altering effects), withdrawal symptoms (experiences distressing physical and emotional symptoms without access to social media), conflict (problems arising in personal and relational contexts due to excessive usage), and relapse (returning to compulsive usage after attempts to moderate).
The consequences of excessive social media use are wideranging and concerning. Issues such as sleep disrupting, heightened anxiety levels, and lower academic performance have been observed. Notably, several studies have indicated that spending over three hours per day on social media can double the risk of expe- riencing poor mental health outcomes, including anxiety and depression.
Research highlights a troubling trend with adolescent girls facing even greater risks associated with social media use compared to boys. Elements such as online harassment and negative body image perceptions add to this vulnerability, leading to further declines in self-esteem and mental well-being.
Colón explained that the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in early 2023. Murthy’s advisory emphasized the need for policymakers, technology companies, and mental health advocates to take action and research the direct impacts of social media on youth. Importantly, it advocated that the minimum age for children to join social media should be recognized, suggesting “13 is too young for children to be joining social media.”
Colón also proposed potential pathways for holding major social media platforms accountable for their role in this mental health crisis. He reassured that joining the litigation would pose no direct financial risk to participating school districts, encouraging further due diligence on the matter.
The current multi-district litigation includes 1,787 plaintiffs, 200 school districts, and 33 state attorneys general, with the first bellwether trial scheduled for June 2026. The intention is to hold social media companies accountable for the mental health impacts of their platforms on young users.
The board decided to conduct further due diligence before making a decision on participation.
Donations & Travels Laguna Acoma High School’s SkillsUSA Chapter received a $2,500 donation from Eastern New Mexico University’s Career Technical Leadership Project. Advisors explained that the find will provide students with professional jackets, leadership training opportunities, and media equipment needed for competitions.
LAHS’s DECA chapter received approval to travel to the National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2026. The trip supports students competing in marketing and business events.
Grants High School AVID students were approved to travel to Northern Arizona University for a full-day college readiness visit on April 28, 2026.
GHS FFA Advisor Amador Gonzales celebrated four students selected for national leadership opportunities, including the Washington Leadership Conference. The board approved associated travel and accepted a $1,000 donation to support these experiences.
Upcoming
March 12: Kindergarten Festival of Talents - Mesa View March 12-14, 2026 4 Corners Regional Science Fair - NMSU Grants Branch March 13-14: GHS Spring Musical - The Descendants March 16-20: Spring Break - District Closed March 17: Meeting Moved to March 17 due to Spring Break March 18-20: NMASBO Spring Budget Conference - Albuquerque, NM March 24: Regular Board Meeting March 31: NMSBA Region IV Meeting - Cubero Elementary