CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – The Grants/Cibola County School District board voted to end hybrid instruction, heard an indepth audit report, and discussed graduation statistics.
Ending hybrid reentry plan
The board voted on March 16 to return all students to the classroom setting as of April 5 for the remainder of this academic year following the presentation by Superintendent Max Perez on preparations to implement traditional instruction districtwide. Perez noted that the Pueblo of Laguna, the Navajo Nation, and the Pueblo of Acoma prefer that students remain in the virtual instruction format.
The superintendent’s March 9 letter to community members included, “The district will continue to respect and abide by the executive orders of our tribal leaders.”
Students and families retain the option of continuing with distance learning instruction, according to the superintendent.
President Ron Ortiz commented on several news stories that reported districts were surprised by the New Mexico Public Education announcement on the April 5 statewide reopening. Superintend Perez confirmed that NMPED had not consulted with superintendents prior to the announcement.
Vice President Richard Jones said he was pleased to see the return to the traditional instruction format. He added that the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention) recently changed recommended social distancing from six to three feet for education facilities.
No student contracted the coronavirus while at school during the two weeks of hybrid instruction said the superintendent.
Health Services Coordinator Sonya Hernandez reported that 370 of the district’s approximately 550 employees have opted to get vaccinated; 90 percent have received the first shot and 145 have received both doses of the vaccine. People are considered “immune” two weeks after the second dose, she explained.
“Some staff said they were waiting for more [vaccine] data,” said Hernandez.
Vice President Jones and Superintendent Perez both emphasized that G/CCDS cannot mandate employee vaccinations.
Member Emily Hunt-Dailey inquired about how the district is handling situations with staff who chose not to get vaccinated. The superintendent responded that all employees are expected to be onsite to perform their job duties as of April 5. He acknowledged that some feel concerned about their personal health and noted that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Latest audit results
Manning Accounting and Consulting Services, LLC presented an in-depth report for the Fiscal Year 2020. The auditing firm staff explained the three categories of “findings,” which are items that need corrective actions. Material weakness is the most serious; sufficient deficiencies is next and other items is the final category.
“The district has reduced the number of findings from previous years,” commented Superintendent Perez.
The auditor agreed, “The district has made significant progress. It went from 11 major findings in the prior audit to five.”
Byron R. Manning, managing partner, joked that the firm has a reputation for being tough. Manning explained that his career included serving as finance director for one school district for 10 years; this gives him a better understanding of the challenges facing districts. The firm specializes in audits and consulting for governmental agencies, particularly school districts.
Business and Finance Director Steve Maldonado commented that this is the second audit he has overseen since becoming G/CCSD finance director in 2019.
Graduation data
Superintendent Perez utilized a PowerPoint presentation to highlight district graduation statistics for 2018, 2019, and last year.
The student enrollment for Grants High and Laguna-Acoma High School have varied in the past three years and the pandemic affected 2020 enrollment and graduation numbers. The data is based on the four-year cohort, students who enter as freshmen and complete all four years. Graduation percentages rose from 62.4 in 2018 to 70.4 in 2020.
“We still have work to do,” said the superintendent who added that the goal is 90 percent or higher.
Upcoming
• March 22-26, Spring Break
• April 2, District closed
• April 6, regular school board meeting
• April 7, board training session
Visit https://www.gccs.k12.nm.us/ or call 505-285-2603 for more information.