GRANTS, N.M. -The June 21 GCCS board meeting covered education initiatives and decisions aimed at enhancing student learning and community engagement. Things discussed included sole source programs at NMSU, the implementation of a near-peer tutoring program, advancements in special/gifted education, and the development of restorative practices.
Sole Source Summit Education Platforms
Vanessa Romero, the Director of Teaching and Learning, presented a proposal for the approval of sole source education platforms, including Renaissance, Lexia, and TESOL Trainers.
This included the consideration of the approval of Renaissance for an amount of $180,297.97, Lexia for $78,950.00, and TESOL Trainers for Principles and Practices of SIOP, which was divided into $68,889.84 for Peer Coaching and $40,847.63 for Professional Development.
After consideration, the board approved these sole source providers, with the specified amounts allocated to each.
NMSU Pathways in Counseling, Community Psychology, and Criminology
“We are building powerful direct pathways for our students’ college and career readiness,” said Jennifer Griego, the director of federal programs and community engagement.
Griego presented two official letters of support for new programs at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The first letter endorsed the Counseling and Community Psychology program, which is designed to meet the critical demand for qualified mental health professionals in the region. This program utilizes existing faculty and courses at NMSU, placing no additional financial strain on the district or the college, and offers a clear pathway toward professional licensure.
The second letter supports the Criminal Justice Foundation Certificate, a comprehensive 25-credithour program that provides 100% credit transfer toward an associate degree. This program directly addresses local workforce shortages in public safety, law enforcement, and corrections. Notably, it also offers strong dual-credit opportunities, giving high school students an actionable pathway to earn credits and graduate with work-ready skills. These pathways are part of a broader effort to grow career and technical education (CTE) options. Current and planned programs include medical pathways, emergency medical technician (EMT) training, forensics, and personal health development. The district is also exploring additional pathways such as social work, agriculture, and automotive courses, with NMSU expressing willingness to adapt class schedules to meet student needs.
Near Peer Tutoring Program
Larry Chavez, the director of student support, explained that the near peer tutoring program is funded by the New Mexico public education department at no cost to the district. Secondary students will tutor grades 38 in math, earning hourly wages. Teachers will serve as mentors and receive stipends. This is part of building a work-based learning pipeline and encouraging future educators.
Students will earn an hourly wage for tutoring either during or outside school hours, with flexible scheduling options. The state of New Mexico will supply coaches or mentors at each high school to instruct tutors in the fundamentals of teaching. This effort is a move towards establishing a comprehensive education pipeline, encompassing teachers, social workers, and more. The objective is to attract and motivate students to consider careers in education. All three high schools have secured funding, and college students will also be involved.
It is thought that students often relate better to their peers than to adults, which might speed up learning and help students align with school goals. There is enthusiasm about launching this service, and there are plans to seek additional grants, such as the high-impact tutoring grant, which could offer up to $35 an hour to support secondary students.
Special/Gifted Education
The district is near fully staffed for special education, with only one vacancy for a gifted/special education teacher. Chaves explained that fitted student identification improved 83 students due to refined, communityrelevant tools. The multilayered system of support is used to ensure proper support before special education identification, aiming to provide tier one, tier two, and tier three instruction without over identifying students.
Regarding professional development, the district plans to offer professional development for special education teachers during the first week back, focusing on do’s and don’ts. This follows an intuitive visit from the Office of Special Education, which provided some funding.
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) process logistics brief will cover the tools used, ensuring equal services. The district is committed to providing high-quality instructional materials, computers, and professional development to support students’ success without overidentifying them for special education services.
Restorative Practices
The GCCS Restorative Practices initiative, led by Larry Chavez, is focusing on several key areas for the 2026-2027 year. One of the primary objectives is the implementation of re-entry meetings for students returning from suspension. These meetings aim to provide a supportive environment for students as they reintegrate into the school community.
Additionally, the initiative emphasizes mediation and restorative conversations as a means to resolve conflicts effectively. This approach is designed to foster understanding and cooperation among students and staff.
Another significant focus is the reduction of elementary suspensions, with the goal of creating a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. Chavez said, “We really want to teach skills to our students that they can carry on as they get older and become active in the community.”
Upcoming
August 3, 2026: All 184day employees return to work August 4, 2026: Strategic planning training and work sessions August 6, 2026: Districtwide welcome back event at Grants High School, starting at 8 a.m. August 7, 2026: Strategic planning training and work sessions August 8, 2026: All-day strategic session August 10, 2026: GCCS K-12 Fall Classes Begin August 17, 2026: GCCS Pre-K/DD Classes Begin