GRANTS, N.M. - The school board meeting held on October 7th lasted nearly four hours, covering topics such as Chromebooks, food trailers, a donation, and recognitions. The next Regular Board Meeting will take place on October 21st.
Purchase of Chromebooks
“We desperately need many Chromebooks in the district.” Superintendent Lane Widener stated.
Isaac Tafoya, the director of technology for GCCS, explained the goal to maximize and utilize the fund for this initiative so they can return to “district one to one student to Chromebook ratio” for its approximately 3,030. The district still needs 300 to 350 devices in order to meet their goal. A new method is being used, which includes a bidding process involving three bidders. Initially, the district started with an order of 400 Chromebooks, with the final quote having a cost reduction of $50,000. The budget allocation of $445,000, is planned to be used to purchase 681 Chromebooks. Doing this will not only support the one-to-one initiative but also provide additional devices for library programs and to replace those that require repairs.
In an effort to protect the investment, the district is exploring insurance options that would allow parents and students to purchase coverage for their devices. High schoolers will also have the opportunity to check out and take their Chromebooks home, despite not experiencing good return value in the past. Each device will have a four-year accidental coverage warranty.
The board approved the purchase from CDWG in the amount of $453,818.95
Food Trailers for Early College High School
Cooper Jones, the director of finance discussed the mobile kitchen and mobile concession trailers that were previ ously approved at the June 24th, 2025 meeting, as part of the SFP June 24th contract.
Jones explained “Part of this plan was that we would purchase two trailers. There’s one trailer that would be parked at the Early College High School and allow for the students at the Early College High School to have meals that were cooked fresh... The second was for a concession truck, so that we could tailgate for homecoming events.”
He went on the explain that it would be ran by the nutrition coordinator. However, Dr. Guy Archambeau said “I’m not comfortable with the lack of written documentation because all we’re hearing is verbal discussions and explanations… I’m not going to remember them… This is a purchase using pubic funds and we need to be able to have documentation of that… I’m not sure whether I can consider approving this tonight… tonight I don’t feel comfortable with the lack of written documentation or explanation of why we need this idea… A lot of the things that I heard were nice but they’re not… part of the justification for the purchase of these things.” With that said, the board decided to table the discussion until they receive written descriptions of the presentation. Jones spoke up, saying “So, with respect I’ll speak to my… supervisor. What I understand is because the board was not given the information in the method that they would like it, they will withhold our students from resources so that they can get brush function?.. It sounds like because it was not given in a certain medium that was not communicated to me previous to this point we’re [going to] table something that directly influences our students.”
GCCS board president Francie Lee stated. “This is a very difficult situation because I feel that even with the labeling motion, it’s going to be a tie and then that means the motion would fail.” The board made motion to table the discussion until the October 21st meeting.
Milan Elementary Donation
Milan Elementary Principal Zachery Gutierrez asked for the approval of a donation of $3,000 from Run for the Wall Operations. Gutierrez explained that Milan Elementary has hosted the event for the past nine years, with post 60 serving hot meals to each participant, and over 150 veterans and bikers showing up. The even raises awareness for prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA), and it provides support to wounded and deceased veterans and their families.
This even features multiple routes originating in California that converge in Washington, D.C. Hudreds of bikers participate, creating a powerful tradition of community, healing, and advocacy for those who have served.
Gutierrez explained “The past nine years, we’ve hosted run for the wall participants who do the annual across America for awareness of our veterans. In this partnership we’ve never expected anything from the veterans, but their appreciation to be recognized and through… this tradition being… upheld.” According to Gutierrez, the kids and alumni love the event, as they go through Grants and Milan.