CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – The Grants/Cibola County School District board met for their first 2021 session on Jan. 5. The board received an indepth report on completion of the first year of the three-year strategic plan, discussed the Bluewater Elementary School project, and accepted funding for the purchase of air conditioning filters.
Improving indoor air quality
Business and Finance Director Steve Maldonado recommended board approval of the financial award which will enable the district to install MERV 13 filters in the heating and air conditioning ventilation systems that serve classroom settings. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value 13 filters trap and block 98 percent of airborne particles by utilizing pleated filters that rely on an electrostatic charge for removing mold, bacteria, and particles that carry viruses.
Bluewater project
Director of Facilities Vance Lee reported that he and Superintendent Max Perez were scheduled to present the Bluewater Elementary School proposal to state officials on Jan. 11. The district plans to construct a new facility that has the same square footage as the existing building. Principal Gary Miller explained that Bluewater has 94 students currently, which is a decrease from pre-pandemic enrollment. The principal is anticipating future enrollment to reach up to 130 students, kindergarten through sixth grade.
The facilities director acknowledged that the state provides 75 percent of the construction costs and the district is responsible for the remaining 25 percent. Because the existing gym has drainage issues the state may not approve funding for renovating that building, according to Lee.
Strategic plan
Academic Services Director E. Renee Sanchez made her final report. She has submitted her letter of resignation. Rana Sanchez, who has been serving as Los Alamitos Middle School principal, will become academic services director at the end of this month. Reyes Jaramillo is the new LAMS principal, according to Superintendent Perez.
E. Renee Sanchez, who began her duties last year following the retirement of former director Alton Autrey, provided a detailed analysis about the first year of the long-range plan and identified successes and challenges. She emphasized that one of the major goals was improving collaboration and communication between the district and the tribal entities, the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna and the Navajo Nation. (The superintendent’s page on the district website, gccs.k12.nm.us, provides a link to the G/CCS Strategic Plan 2020-2023.)
Pueblo of Acoma Governor Brian Vallo and the Pueblo of Acoma liaison both expressed their appreciation to Director Sanchez and the district for working with each entity to improve the educational opportunities for all students. The board thanked Sanchez for her excellent leadership in helping the district navigate the challenges that have resulted from the pandemic. More than one member teased the academic director and said “roadblocks” on Highway 6 meant that she would not be able to commute to her home in Belen.
Superintendent update
The superintendent said that the Jan. 19 meeting agenda will include an action item about returning to the hybrid model of instruction. He added that districts across the state are dealing with similar issues; some are continuing to rely on the hybrid model while others have stayed with distance-learning only. He noted that the survey data will be one aspect of the information presented to the board members for their consideration.
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All G/CCSD students returned to online instruction on Jan. 7, the first day of spring semester classes.
Next meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 19, board teleconferencing meeting, 5:30 p.m., boardroom, central office, 413 Roosevelt Ave., Grants.
Visit https://www.gccs.k12.nm.us/home or call 505-285-2603 for more information.