00110 9 8. All right. Good evening. We'll call the Rearential Public School Board of Education regular meeting for Monday, June 8th to order. First thing will be the Pledge of Allegiance. You rise with us. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. [clears throat] One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, Miss Oliver, will you please do a roll call to ascertain quorum? >> President Greth. >> Vice President Müller, >> present. Secretary Murray >> present. >> Board member Barry >> present. >> Board member Smith present. We have a quorum. >> All right. Welcome everybody. Schools out for summer. Sorry. >> I don't Dr. Dodd wanted to add something real quick. So if you wanted to jump in
002there. >> Are you gonna sing some Alice Cooper for us? Vice President Muller. >> Yeah. >> School's out. [laughter] >> Good evening everyone. It's great to see you. Uh I don't typically provide opening comments. Um but since we concluded the 2526 school year, which is a huge celebration for our staff, our students, our community, I figured that I would um start us off with a few comments. So board, thank you so much for uh giving me this opportunity. Um, as we conclude the 2526 school year, I want to thank our students, our staff, our families, and community members for making this year possible and such a success. This was a historic year of transition for Rio Rancho Public Schools. Um, we have a new superintendent, myself. Uh, we bid farewell to um a legendary superintendent,
003Dr. Bizu Cleveland, after 32 years. Um, and we have a largely new board. So, um, it's it's been a lot of change, but it's a great opportunity for the future of the district. Over the past several weeks, I've had the opportunity to attend graduations with my, um, colleagues up here, also, uh, student recognitions and end of year celebrations that remind us, uh, of why this work is so important and why it matters. We celebrated academic excellence at the Crimson Dinner, perseverance at the Phoenix dinner, workplace preparation at the Project Search graduation, cultural pride and student achievement at the Native American Senior Banquet, Kenus Del Norte Elementary School's Cogni Esteem certification, and Miss Joselyn Salaz's golden apple award for teaching excellence at Questa Deloul Elementary School. These moments reinforce what I've learned throughout my first few
004months in Rio Rancho public schools. This community cares deeply about its children and takes great pride in its schools. One of the greatest highlights of the year was celebrating the class of across Independence High School, Rio Rancho High School, Visu Cleveland High School, Cyber Academy, and Riotech. We celebrated the graduation of over 1,200 students as they prepared for college, careers, military service, and other post-secondary opportunities. During graduation, we began what I hope will become a new Rio Rancho public schools tradition. It took our our students and our staff a little bit of time to get used to it, but I think it came off pretty well. Uh we recognize graduates for not only earning their diplomas but also for the experiences, accomplishments, leadership, service, and opportunities that shaped their journey while they were in school
005with us. We asked graduates to stand as we recognize different parts of their experience. We mentioned everything from athletics, fine arts, career and technical education, advanced coursework, service, leadership, and many other opportunities that we provide in Rio Rancho public schools. By the end, every graduate at each graduation was standing. Every student's journey matters. Every graduate brought something meaningful to those rooms. Uh and every graduate leaves Rio Rancho public schools with a story, a set of unique experiences, and a future that this community helped to shape. That tradition reflects something important about who we are as a district. We honor the past by recognizing the people and the experiences that brought us here. We build the present by celebrating the growth and achievements of our students. And together we invent the future through the lives and
006contributions that we know that our graduates will carry forward into the world. While the school year is coming has come to a close, our work continues. So, let's look ahead just for a second. This summer, district teams will be reviewing systems. We had a whole group of principles in here today that was learning how to supervise and lead our implementation of our new elementary math curriculum. Um I think our secondary our middle school folks were here too as well. Is that right? No, just elementary. Um we're going to we're going to be strengthening processes and preparing for next year which will be a very important bridge year for us. We're looking closely at how we operate as an organization and where we can improve. This coming year will serves serve as an important bridge year.
007As I mentioned, it's also an opportunity to build on our strong foundation while preparing the organization for where we want to go next. We'll continue strengthening teaching and learning, improving student supports, refining our systems, and building the capacity necessary to sustain our improvement over time. And that will begin with the board and our our our team in developing a new strategic plan for Rio Rancho. At the same time, we'll begin engaging our staff, families, students, the board, community in that strategic planning process that will help define a shared vision for the future of Rio Rancho public schools. That work's not about creating another document. I think that's important to emphasize. It's about creating clarity around what our priorities are as a community, alignment around our goals, and a shared commitment to the outcomes that we
008want and expect for our students. As I've said throughout my first 100 days, which by the way includes tomorrow, June 9th, uh will be 100 days. This district has a proud history, a strong foundation, and tremendous potential. I'm grateful for the partnership of this extraordinary board. Thankful for the dedication of our employees and honored to serve this community as the superintendent. Thanks for a successful school year, everyone, our students, our parents, our community, our staff, and I wish everyone a safe and restful summer. Now we can get to it. Thank you, Vice President Muller. Thank you, board. Sure. All right. Next is to approve the prioritized agenda. Before we get into it, we need to after talking with staff and legal remove items two and three under H business. So if we could get a
009motion to approve the prioritize agenda without items two and three under H board member Barry motion to amend H two and three removed from agenda. Board member Murray second. >> Is that good? >> Yeah. Approve the agenda. >> So we're voting now to remove the two items. [snorts] >> Okay. Thank you, Council. So all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Nothing hurt. majority. So now we will have a motion to approve the new agenda with >> board member Barry moves to approve the current agenda as stated as amended. >> Board member Murray second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. All right we have 40. Next is reports tech notes from Eric Harrian RBC Capital. I like it when you guys sit at
010the back. It's like I'm Bob Burgerer. Come on down. >> Welcome, sir. >> Thank you. >> So, uh, good afternoon, Vice President, members of the board, Superintendent, uh, Eric Herrigan with RBC Capital Markets. We're the district's municipal adviser. So, we were asked to take a look at um you know what adding an education technology note to your existing debt program might look like. Um okay, [laughter] >> great. Thank you. Um, and so the first thing that we, you know, always do whenever we start talking about, you know, what's your capacity, we want to talk about your tax base because your tax base, what's happening to your tax base is really critical to how quickly you can retire your debt, how you can layer in additional bonds and continue to maintain the existing tax rate. And
011so this current tax year, um, tax year 2025, you continue to see very strong growth, a little over 7%. Um, one of the things that we have talked about in the past, um, and it's coming up this next, um, tax year is, um, voters approved, um, two exemptions, um, that veterans receive. The first one, which is currently active, um, or, uh, is the, uh, standard veteran exemption, and that exemption went from 4,000 to 10,000. Um but the disabled uh veteran exemption, this basically expanded and allowed um any uh disabled veteran to take an exemption equal to their disability. Now 100% disabled veterans have been able to take advantage of this. Now any any disabled veteran can um and so a disabled veteran you know who say is you know 50% disabled they would be able
012to exempt 50% of the value of their um property of their for property taxation. We have tried to estimate, it's not great data. Um, we we will know more next month, but we estimate that it's about uh roughly $250 to $300 million impact to the district's tax base. Roughly about six uh 6 and a half%. I bring that up one because as we talk we talk about the analysis that we've gone through, we've included that and we've assumed that that drop will occur in the district's um in the district's tax base. Uh on page two of the presentation, we have the district's historical tax rates. Um your operational mill levy, you have a 2 mill levy, and then your geo bond mill levy of uh $8.54. And as I talk about and as I go
013through the education technology notes, all of this is to maintain that existing tax rate uh at $8.54. uh if the district were to ever proceed forward with an education technology note, those tax rate would just uh change. Uh the go would go down, the education technology note rate would go up, but the tax rate as a total would stay exactly the same. Um so then [clears throat] going on to the next slide, uh is your outstanding debt. You can see how quickly you pay off your debt. Um, this gives uh the district the opportunity to um layer in education technology notes without an impact to the total tax rate and continue to issue all of the bonds that voters have already authorized um the district to uh to sell. Um so currently um your tax
014base 4.3 billion all school districts are capped at 6% of your assessed valuation as to the maximum amount of debt that a school district can issue. Um that's 261 million. You currently have uh 102 million. Later this year, we'll be coming back to have the board authorize 35 million of voter authorized bonds, which will put you about 52% bonded to capacity. So, um, initially voters authorized $80 million in November of 2023. The district has sold 48 million of that. And then last November in 25 because your tax base has has grown so quickly, we went back to voters um again. Normally it's a 4-year period. We went back to voters again for an additional $80 million in authorization, continue to just maintain that uh tax rate. Um, and from a sales standpoint, uh, we anticipate
015selling $35 million, um, this, uh, fall based upon the district's capital needs, and then the remaining authorization will be sold over the next three years, um, as as funds are needed. This does include the 32 million that is still left over from the 23 uh, um, election. So the district can implement an education technology no program. And one of the significant differences between a geo bond program and an ETN program is that voters don't have to actually um authorize the issuance of education technology notes. And the reason for that is is that there was a constitutional amendment in 1984 um that allows for um school boards to take action and issue education technology notes without having to go to voters. There's the option to go to voters if you so want. Um but school boards
016do not need to. And there's really I think there's only one school district in New Mexico that actually sends a education technology note question to voters. the the rest uh the rest do not. Um as we kind of talked about, the district can implement a $2.5 million education technology note program every year and layer it into the existing program that you have without impacting um the overall the overall debt service. And the primary reason for that is because you're able to retire your debt so quickly, we are able to carve out and add in an ETN without an impact to your tax rate. So just for example purposes, we estimate that if this is something that the district would want to pursue, your education, you would have an education technology uh rate of 69 cents.
017your geo bond tax rate would fall to $7.84 84 the combined rate which is uh $8.54 and that is what the district has had historically uh historically for death. Now, you know, adding in your adding in your ETN program because, you know, this is all you already have an existing geo bond program. You know, there there are some there are some cons to that. And one of the one of the cons is that you do sacrifice some future geo bond capacity down the road because you've now dedicated that for education technology. So on page five of the presentation, we've shown uh three scenarios. If the district just keeps everything the same, just issues geo bond, just issues geo bond, does not look at implementing an education technology program. Uh we anticipate that in 2029 the
018district can go back to voters in the amount of 145 million and then another four years another 145 million in 2033 if the district were to implement a five-year 2.5 million ETN program and after that fiveyear that program would end um the uh next geo bond election would be um in 29 9 we estimate would be 130 million and then in 2033 it would be 140 million but you'd also be um issuing 12 a.5 million in education technology notes you you would lose about $8 million in capacity um over that over that time if you will if the district just chose to keep an ETN program in perpetuity um then the next geo bond election would be uh 115 million. Um in 2033 the election would be 125 million. But you also have to add
019in the fact that you're issuing 31 and a half million of education technology notes. So your total capacity over that same time is about 271 million. So you lose about So you lose about, you know, 18.5 million in in total combined capacity. And the reason for that is um we're advertising these bonds um sooner. Um and so therefore, you're kind of pushing debt out um you know, a little bit on the yield curve. So that just represents those numbers really represent you know, just interest cost over that time. Um, [clears throat] so we got a we have a couple of slides on the market which I'm not going to bore you to death and go over those. Um, but I'm certainly happy to answer any questions that you have about what I've covered. >> Does
020the board have any questions? >> Not about the technotes specifically. Maybe a discussion about how it's going to be spent would be warranted, >> but that you're not that person. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Heran. Appreciate that. Um, very concise and informative presentation on tech notes. Um, uh, Mr. Baker, can you join us at the table? That'd be great. So, are we going to revisit technotes again at a future board meeting? >> Yeah. So the idea was for for today just wanted to give you uh Eric's um expert opinion on how these tech notes work in conjunction with the geo bond. >> Okay. >> So we will come back to the school board. Uh we will talk about what our plan is, how we plan on using it, and what the
021process is moving forward. >> Great. I think Terry Meyer is sitting back there thinking we're going to spend it all on Chromebooks, but that's not the case. Uh, >> so there are different options in how >> iPhone h how we can how we can use this resource. I think one of the one of the reasons why board members that we were interested in technotes is it's another form of revenue for us as a school district that we can use to support teaching and learning in our classrooms. That's largely what it would be dedicated to. So, we just have to decide how. >> Yes. Question. >> I think we're good. Thank you, Mr. H. Appreciate your time and information. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Becker. >> Next, Mr. Todd Rash, executive director of
022athletics. Well, good evening, Vice President Mueller, Superintendent Dodd, and members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview view of the Rio Rancho Public Schools athletics department. Tonight I will share our vision, goals, organizational structure, program successes, participation trends, facility investments, and our continued commitment to developing student athletes. Athletics remains an important extension of the educational experience and plays a significant role in student success both in and out of the classroom. Next slide, please. Our mission is centered in providing a safe, inclusive, and educational athletic experience for every student athlete. We believe athletics should support academic achievement while also developing leadership, character, and teamwork skills. Our vision is for Rio Rancho Public Schools athletics to be recognized statewide as a model program. And success is measured not only by championships, but
023also by the development of students, positive leadership opportunities, and strong community partnerships. Integrity, accountability, and excellence guide all of our decisions and expectations. Next slide, please. Athletics serves as an extension of the classroom and supports the district's mission of developing the whole child. Through participation in athletics, students learn important life skills, including discipline, perseverance, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Our programs focus on six key areas. Academic achievement, character development, leadership, mental and physical wellness, sportsmanship, and school and community pride. We are committed to ensuring equitable opportunities for all student athletes while maintaining high standards for coaches and programs. Our goal is for every student athlete to feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Next slide, please. These goals guide the work of our department and help establish priorities for continuous improvement. First, we support academic achievement
024and reinforce that students are students first and athletes second. We continue to seek ways to increase participation and engagement across all schools and programs. Leadership and character development remains central to our athletic philosophy. We are committed to maintaining safe and positive athletic environments for participants, spectators, and staff. Strong communication with families, schools, and community stakeholders is essential. We also invest in professional development for coaches because quality coaching directly impacts student experiences. And finally, we strive for operational excellence and competitive success across all athletic programs. We would like to have every student that comes to school as a freshman have an opportunity to play for a state championship sometime in their four-year stay. Next slide, please. This slide illustrates the structure of athletics uh of our department. There are 299 members of the athletics department in
025Rio Rancho public schools. The department is led by the executive director with the support of the district administrative assistant. We also have a team of athletic staff at both high schools and the middle school. We currently provide athletic training coverage at high schools and middle schools, but we only have one middle school athletic trainer who bounces around from school to school and event to event. Each school is led by an athletic director who oversees program operations, compliance, scheduling, staffing, and student athlete support. So, across the district, we support 38 high school coaches, head coaches, 162 high school assistant coaches, 36 middle school head coaches, and 48 middle school assistant coaches. So, this organizational structure allows us to effectively serve thousands of student athletes. Next slide, please. Rio Rancho Public Schools provides one of the most
026comprehensive athletic offerings in the state. At the high school level, students have opportunities to participate in sports across all three seasons, including traditional team sports as well as golf, tennis, swimming, powerlifting, cheer, and dance. Our middle schools provide strong foundational programs that prepare students for high school participation. Offering a broad range of athletic opportunities helps us increase participation, engage diverse student interests, and support lifelong wellness. These programs also strengthen school culture and community involvement throughout the district. Next slide, please. This slide highlights the tradition of excellence within Rio Rancho Public Schools athletics. combined. Rio Rancho High School and Cleveland High School have earned 111 New Mexico Activities Association state championships. Rio Rancho has earned 54 and Cleveland has earned 57. These championships span numerous uh sports and reflect sustained excellence across multiple decades. We are
027proud of the student athletes, coaches, administrators, and community members who have all contributed to these accomplishments. While championships are significant achievements, we remain equally focused on student development and educational outcomes. Next slide, please. The NMAA Director's Cup recognizes the most comprehensive athletic and activities programs in New Mexico. Schools earn points based on athletic success, activity participation and achievement, sportsmanship, and multi-sport participation. This award reflects the overall strengths of a school's programs rather than success in a single sport. The rankings shown demonstrate the strong standing of Rio Rancho public schools among the state's largest classifications. I have an update. This is post winter sports. So this was before the spring sports championship seasons. Unfortunately, Laqua passed Cleveland. Therefore, Laqua won the director's cup, Cleveland took second, Volcano Vista took third, and Rio Rancho took fourth. This
028is out of 27 large school classification. The director's cup aligns closely with our philosophy of promoting broad participation, positive culture, and excellence across all programs. Next slide, please. One of the most encouraging indicators of program success is participation growth. Over the past four years, athletic participation has increased 8.9% from 3,12 students to 3,391 students. This represents continued growth and demonstrates the value students and families place on athletic opportunities. Increased participation supports student engagement, attendance, academic performance, and school connectedness. We will continue exploring opportunities to expand access and encourage participation across all schools and demographic groups. Next slide. Whoa. Athletic facilities projects. So this is a list of the projects that are soon to be taking place or currently taking place across our schools. Providing quality facilities is critical to supporting safe and successful athletic programs.
029Over the last year, we have completed or initiated numerous facility improvement projects across the district. At Rio Ranchel High School, projects include track improvements, turf installations, field event enhance enhancements, and softball and baseball facility upgrades. At Cleveland High School, projects include track renovations, locker room improvements, soccer field turf installation, a new basketball floor, and baseball and softball upgrades. And at the middle school level, improvements include new gymnasium bleachers and tennis court installation. These investments improve safety, student experience, program quality, and community use of our district facilities. Next slide, please. Athletics provides an important platform for character development. Character Matters is a nationally recognized program that equips coaches with tools and resources to intentionally teach character, leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. We are implementing character matters for the first time during the 2627 school year. Rio Rancho
030High School will implement character matters to 12 programs. Cleveland middle Cleveland High School will implement their program to uh the the character matters program to 11 of their programs and then all middle school athletic programs will participate in character matters. This initiative reinforces our belief that athletics should help develop outstanding citizens and leaders, not just successful competitors. Character development remains one of the most important outcomes of educational athletics. Next slide, please. This slide summarizes the purpose of our work. Our commitment is to develop the whole student athlete. We strive to create opportunities that support academic achievement, athletic growth, leadership development, and lifelong success through collaboration among coaches, administrators, teachers, parents, and community partners. We will continue providing meaningful experiences for students. We are proud of the positive impact athletics has on our schools and community
031and look forward to building upon that success. Next slide, please. I want to thank you for your time and support of Rio Rancho Public Schools athletics. We appreciate the continued investment in our students, coaches, programs, and facilities. And I'll be happy to answer any questions from the board. >> Thank you, sir. Anybody have any questions? Dr. Smith, >> thank you for that presentation. Um, with the transfer portal being open, um, I believe that was approved, right? Well, there is one more significant hurdle that needs to be cleared before it is enacted. Um, the commission approved it, the board of directors approved it, but now the vote goes out to membership, which is 160 schools across New Mexico. Uh, Director Rush, can you give us just a great question and I I need to learn more
032about it. Can you give us some background on the on the portal and and what's at stake here and sure >> um how this has evolved? I think um I think for our audience it'll be it'll be helpful you're an expert on it. This is um this is a complete paradigm shift for athletics in New Mexico. Prior to this proposal, student athletes would have to sit out a year if they wanted to transfer from one school to another pending potentially some issues that took place where there would be an appeal hearing through the NMAA, but you would have to sit out a year if you transferred. There are a variety of reasons why the NMAA has proposed this change. Um there has been a fair amount of litigation that the NMAA has been um has
033been has been dealing with for many years. We're also finding that a good majority of states across the country have enacted a similar uh change to their rule. So what we're the proposal is is that a student athlete can transfer from one school to another and not serve a one-year penalty. So, a student athlete who attends Seiola High School [snorts] could decide to transfer to Volcano Vista High School and be eligible for varsity participation right away. >> But they only get one, right? >> They only get one. If they decide to come back, they would have to they would go back to the original one year out. >> And and Mr. Rash, correct me if I'm wrong. Can the local school district have their own guidelines and policies about transferring within that district? >> Yes,
034sir. So, within this rule, LEAs are provided autonomy to enhance that rule or or provide their own measures to that rule. There are some districts within the state that are exploring not allowing any transfers within their district. APS is not one of them. I believe Los Cusus may be looking into that because they believe possibly that it could really damage some of their schools within their district. I also want to be careful about in college there is what exists a transfer portal which speaks to a routine transfer process like a kid could play at multiple colleges throughout their career, right? This is just one that there is no portal. There's just a requ trans transfer to a requested transfer. Um, I mean I foresee with Ray Rancho being so strong with sports that might benefit
035us, but I I do you mentioned litigation and I was at a meeting um over the weekend and they were saying even if it does not pass that 51% um most likely it would go into litigation. So I was just curious. I there's a variety of um ways of looking at this. I believe the large schools will benefit. I believe the smaller schools will not. I believe the single community schools will lose kids to larger schools >> and smaller schools make up the majority of those 160 votes. So, it'll be interesting to see what they have to say. You said Albuquerque can they they voted to switch their kids like Cruis >> within within district. Yes, ma'am. >> But every high every school will have one vote and every district has one vote. It comes
036to about 160. >> The voting is live right now. It ends on June 19th. at the end of the day, June 19th or perhaps the following Monday, they will reveal the outcome and then we'll need to be prepared for what's next. >> Yeah. >> And and we're we're fortunate that um Mr. Rash will have a team that um will figure out how to apply this depending on what ends up happening. Um so you're you're thinking through all the contingencies. I know. >> Yes, sir. >> It may a bad question. Are we supporting this or not supporting it? >> That is too [laughter] >> I'm having a conversation [snorts] with the superintendent on Wednesday to discuss this. Here's what I can tell you. What I can tell you is that Rio Rancho Public Schools has the
037best schools, the best teachers, the best coaches, the best facilities, and the best sports programs in the state of New Mexico. >> Good answer. That's that's >> we're attractive >> and we're meeting Wednesday and we're meeting Wednesday. >> And and I would add that um there there are things about the decision that are that would be positive in a lot of ways for kids for our school district. Um but we also always have to be concerned about fairness, balance within our own district. um making sure that um all of our students have an opportunity to to excel um and that this rule wouldn't really jeopardize what we've already developed as a school district which as Todd said are we believe the best program in the state. >> Yes. >> I have one other question. Um
038where how are you implementing the character matters curriculum like in like sports fit or where's that curriculum? >> Yes ma'am. No, those actually so those programs are like uh the football program at Rio Rancho High School is going to implement character matters like the sports programs themselves. The head coaches have made decisions. Yes, this is a curriculum I will be applying to my program. Um we will receive training. We have a package that the district that athletics is paying for that coaches will receive training. Uh they'll receive follow-up training. Um, there are weekly themes that coaches can kind of embed within their program throughout the week and it's nice that the themes are the same across. So, so all kids will be seeing the same things. Um, uh, it's it's a there's a high amount
039of support. I will say that as a model and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mr. Cooper Henderson from Artisia High School. Uh, Cooper Henderson believes in this. Uh, as soon as I found out that our teacher high school is implementing this and Bloomfield High School was implementing this, this was something that I was very interested in. >> I think that's great. If there's a common theme, that's probably going to transfer over to the general population of the school, too. So, that's awesome. >> I had a couple quick questions. Um, what is the um, forgive my ignorance, what's the athletic participation require like academic requirements? Is it maintain a certain GPA? What what is that? >> 2.5 with no Fs. >> Okay, very good. Um this over the weekend, the same meeting that
040she was referring to, the director of the uh NMN MMAA was there and he um he expressed that there was a lot of athletic directors that don't engage enough. I It seems like you're quite engaged and locked in what's going on because they said there's a lot of opportunities like problems arising he doesn't know about and I'm not going to say if he >> can I speak to that? >> Sure. We easily, and I know there are people in the audience that are going to agree with me, we easily have the most engaged executive. >> I was just making sure I wasn't I wasn't making any accusations. >> I know you weren't, but I I've got one of the things I'm very humbled and proud to have seen as the new superintendent of RPS is
041I've gotten to accompany Todd to various games. Um, and I I think the coaches, assistant coaches, student athletes, parents would all unilaterally, universally say that the central services leadership that Todd Rash provides to our programs is second to none. He's present. He's there. He's available when there are issues and there aren't a lot of issues because of >> I guess I meant the communication from our director to him was he was saying that >> I Yeah. Well, >> he was saying he out a lot of that didn't do that. didn't do that. >> So that's just I was just saying that's all that's all I was commenting. >> Sure. Yeah. >> So you're speaking to the potential breakdown between >> the NMA office and us. >> Yes. Exactly. >> I I um >> he didn't
042say that this was a rearancho problem. He said it's a state problem. And I was just wanted to check on that. So >> um I I think that that comes down to the individual athletic director who chooses to make intentions intentional decisions to be engaged and to yeah reach out. Um, the NMA has done a a variety of things. They have a weekly, every Monday morning, we have a video to update coaches on certain status, athletic directors on certain situation, status. We have a monthly Zoom meeting uh with that's live with the the director. So, I he's probably he might be beating himself up a little bit because I believe that what they are offering is is um is genuinely uh great engagement. >> Good. Yeah. Yeah. He said there was many times a problems
043arise. She's like, "I've never heard of this before. Why isn't anyone telling me about this?" So, yeah, sounds like you're locked in, though. >> Well, thank you and I appreciate the kind words. Um, but you know, we are working with 3,100 teenagers. So, >> absolutely. [laughter] The last one I was going to ask is he mentioned that there's going to be perhaps a new offering, maybe boys volleyball coming up. Is that something we're going to participate in or >> boys volleyball has? Um at there have been numerous attempts to make boys volleyball a sport in New Mexico. Um it started at the activities level. Um I think there's club level boys volleyball throughout the state. >> I don't get the sense that a whole lot of momentum has been placed on on on boys volleyball
044for a variety of reasons. I I think it's great. You know, if it's offered in the spring, do we definitely would have the facilities for it? I think there's definitely interest for it. We do have it at the club level. Um I am more curious about the potential and I'm hopeful uh that soon we will see girls flag football. Um that nationally has taken just tremendous uh strides as far as growth is concerned. They offer they offer scholarships in college for girls flag football. So that's that's something that I'd be really excited to see in in our state. >> Thank you. No more questions, >> conversations about about that. I'm a big I'm a big supporter of that. I think that's our next sport to have. >> But my only question would be so the
045man you guys got me blasting away over here. I know character matters is a sports based are any of the activities implementing character matters because I think the the principles of it could be beneficial to any student, not necessarily just sports. >> I I don't I don't know. I cannot speak to that. I don't I don't work so much with NMAA sponsored activities as much as the individual activities directors do at the high schools. I would assume that Character Matters would be open to the idea of, you know, that happening within like the bowling team and other, you know, other programs throughout throughout the district. >> You're doing an awesome job. Thank you, sir. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Todd. We appreciate you. Yes, >> sir. >> This is [clears throat] all
046new technology, so if it doesn't work, it's the three amigos folk over there. >> All right. Next is student nutrition with Felix Ggo. Uh good afternoon, uh Vice President Muller, uh Superintendent, uh board members. Um thank you so much for having me um this afternoon just to talk about the uh student nutrition department um some of the highlights a little bit of budget um kind of what our mission or objective was for for the school year and kind of some of the things that we've been implementing um throughout Rio Rancho public schools. Um, our mission is to serve Rio Rancho public school students the best quality and nutritious meals to provide them with a healthy mind and body to serve a solid foundation to be more successful in their education. Um, one of the things
047that we really pride ourselves in student nutrition department as well as um, Rio Rancho public schools is we always um, think about students as number one. Um, a lot of the times student nutrition is something that would go on the back burner, but um, it does serve as the foundation in the field for our students minds so they can continue to be successful in school. Um, and we also got to take it in consideration um, that sometimes it's the only uh, healthy nutritious meals that students get are at school. And so we we really pride ourselves within our department to to u provide those u great services for our students. Um in front of you, you got our uh student nutrition department organizational chart. Um myself, Felix Grigo is the executive director of uh Rio
048Rancho public schools. Uh one unique thing about our student nutrition department, it's fairly new, which was started about three years ago. um is that not only do we have Rio Rancho public school staff, but we um partner with Southwest Food Excellence um which brings a great a great wealth of resources and staff to our district. Um and keep in mind some of the staff that may be um under Southwest food of uh excellence have been here since you know the district started. And so um you know our foundation are those 120 kitchen staff that are in the kitchen day in day out cooking those healthy nutritious meals for our students. Um and then we also have our management and administrative team. Um the team does is is comprised of about 150 staff. Um, one of
049the areas that that I do really try and implement in our team is um team collaboration um and have oversight and accountability for everybody that um does work within our organizational chart here. Um and and also we get a lot of support from Reancho public schools um board members, superintendent um administrators, central office staff, staff at the school. So it takes a team. Um I'm a firm believer it takes a uh a community to feed an army, right? And so uh we do our best to to provide those services for our kids. Uh next um so some key critical elements um the benefits of healthy nutritious um uh then kind of basically what healthy eating does for our students, right? Um it's a it does play a vital role in um you know brain function
050um improves focus and memory and then um in turn that that generates higher achievement for our students um increase physical uh vitality sustain energy and stronger immune systems. We all know that we're working um diligently as a district to to in uh decrease absenteeism um which the district has done really well um over the course of the last few years and so um providing them those nutrients definitely helps in that area. It balances mood and regulation. We all know if if we were in the sport meeting without eating, we may be a little bit hangry. And so with that being said, you know, it stabilizes moods and with that, you know, behaviors get better within the classrooms. Um, and it reduces stress not only for our students but our staff and long-term well-being, uh, health,
051physical growth. We all want our kids to grow up um, healthy and strong. So one thing that we do is we are highly regulated by US USDA. Um we provide all the uh key elements um to provide those um nutrients for our kids and ultimately uh we want to create a lifelong wellness and habit formation. One of the things that I've been trying to do over the course of the last two years is um visit schools. I did a presentation over at Kolus um elementary where I shared what a what a healthy nutritious meal is and kind of what the inputs are um for those meals and then we provided some some New Mexico grown um items some bell peppers and some juju bees um grown out of Roswell and then ultimately we're really trying
052to incr uh increase breakfast um participation again that's the foundation in the mornings for kids to learn um some of our key accomplish accomplishments. Um we met PED healthy universal compliance certification. So not only do we have to deal with um USDA regulations which are pretty stringent um we also have healthy universal free meal um rules and regulations that were passed down which we have to implement um next school year. And so um we have gone through that process. We did uh get our menus compliant and and met a few areas that that make us compliant. Um, we've received the New Mexico Grown Sprout Award for all the work that we've been doing working with local farmers um to get some of their products in into the mills that we do serve. Um, a lot
053of work's been uh gone into that program. Hopefully next next year we'll get the Golden Chili Award. Um, which means that you know we have a very successful program as far as implementing New Mexico grown items. Uh, another initiative that I wanted to do is not only offer these mills but uh provide tower gardens for schools. So, Kenus and Rio Elementary um in collaboration with Southwest food excellence um they purchased some hydro gardens for those schools. Um and I'll show a couple pictures uh with regards to that and then again increased breakfast and lunch participation. Um so what is the implementing a successful national school lunch program? Um obviously we have students at the center um that we serve them meals daily. Um in turn we receive uh in we we serve those breakfast, lunches
054and meals and and we put in our figures with the state and USDA and then in turn we get federal and state funds um for those quality meals. Um we we have expenses and expenditures that we deal with. One of the big expenses is um paying Southwest food excellence uh on a per meal basis. This is called fixed price um contract that we um initiated last year um which in turn generates cash which is resources um inputs um products resources staff um equipment which goes back into the program and then we invest that back into the children. Next slide. Um just here's a a highlight from um last school year to this school year. Um as you can see all the numbers um have increased in school year 2526. Um we've served uh over a
055million breakfast um almost 2 million lunches. So almost 3 million meals throughout the course of the school year. Increased um breakfast participation which is one of our goals. um our lunch uh participation has grown up and then in turn we've generated over $12 million in revenue. Um our expenditures are right around 10 million which means we have excess cash of 2 million. Um we do not use any operational funds. So we're a self-sustained program with our federal and state reimbursements. Um and of course we generate those funds and those that goes back into the district and our students. Next slide. So, what is healthy universal uh school meals? Um, again, that was a rule and law that was put into place in 2223 um for all students um to get free meals regardless of income.
056But with that comes compliance. Um we have to have 50% scratch cooked meals, which is great. That's processed foods um that's being served to our students. Reduce food waste. Um uh purchase New Mexico grown products. Um, we do get a grant for those for about $115,000 annually. Um, and then we put a little additional funds to to improve that program. And again, that's no cost to students, no cost to our parents. Um, free breakfast and lunch. I'm a firm believer is if you get a free education, you should get a free meal in return. Um, so we really worked hard to get that um, bill passed. Um, next slide. Uh, again, there's the federal compliance piece. um those are based on seven CFR 2000s the uh federal regulations that oversee the national school lunch program
057but we're required to have menu compliance those some of these things are the less fun things um uh more stringent sodium content more stringent sugars um the feds are always bringing those down um which in turns could be good for our students but at the same time kind of the taste of the food is is is a little bit more bland but we do our best to try and make the food um the best we can production records There's Mil County and claiming um again nutritional guidelines, smart snacks and competitive food sales. One area that I do want to highlight there is we do have clubs, organizations that sell things sometimes during lunch and things of that nature. Um but they must be um in compliance with smart snacks and um competitive who is are
058the federal regulations. So it basically makes it an even even playing field um for everyone um and keeps the the snaps um in compliance and and healthy for our students. So um that's one obstacle that we do face. We have we've we've addressed it and and we have a process and procedure to handle those instances. Um financial and audit compliance um with you know over $12 million in funds. We have to ensure that we're spending those funds. They're allowable and allocable. Um and so we got to make sure that we are uh good stewards of those funds. Next um just a quick visual on this. Um this is data from 2223. So that was the lowest year and then we implemented universal school meals. Um came into the district. Uh Southwest food was fairly new.
059Um and year overyear we've we've increased participation. This is just daily participation that you're looking at for breakfast. So, if you can look at, you know, right around February, January, we're only serving 3,000 meals breakfast a day. Um, we're up to well over 6,000, which is um, you know, a huge increase on that end. Um, so we're we're doing our best to try and work on breakfast, but there are obstacles that we face like start school start times and things of that nature, the amount of times that we have to um have curriculum for our students. But next slide. Um again, similar slide. Um we started out right around 7,000 uh meals daily and we're up to well over 10,000 meals daily. And those are basically our trends month over month. And so we we
060you know continue to increase meals and and I think that's due to the hard work that student nutrition southwest food excellence have put and and the time we put to enhance our program. Thanks. Here's some of the special prom promotions. One of the things that I try and do is make um the cafeteria and the program fun for kids. Um so we celebrate things like Earth Day and we do plant-based meals. Um you know, obviously we do big initiatives for breakfast and so um the quest for school breakfast and we offer prizes and and lucky trays, things of that nature. And then uh you know something that we do there for uh Halloween and maybe when you were in school, you got mummy dogs for Halloween. So, um, we do the best that we can
061to promote more more promotions. Next, um, one of the the areas that we're looking at atmospherics, um, primarily in our secondary schools, um, technology is a valuable tool. And so, over the course of this year, we've, um, ensured that all of our secondary schools have monitors where we display our menus and special advertisements. What that does is speed up lines. Um, it allows the students to think uh what what meal they're going to get prior to getting the line, which makes stress it less stress for everyone else. So, it's a good investment uh return on investment. Next, Prov Chef program. Probably one of my favorite programs. I know um Terry uh Terry Archebeck, who's our general manager with SFP, she loves this program. She rolled it out. Um we started at Maggie uh uh Maggie
062Cordova as well as MLK for second graders. So we did it for all second graders at those schools and and the principles had positive feedback. Teachers, the kids loved it. um great experience for them to understand, you know, the the importance of food safety and and sanitiza sanitization at the same time having fun with their classmates and making um a nice little uh pizza or um they did a uh like kind of like a fruit skewer kind of bouquet um that they could take over take home to their uh families. Next, family barbecues, Thanksgiving meals. Um we try and uh incorporate our community as much as possible. Not only our community, but um central office staff play a vital role and they help serve meals for Thanksgiving and barbecues and we we uh really appreciate
063that and that's a team effort again uh bringing the community together um for our students. Next um we do share tables. One of the things with healthy universal school meals is we have shared tables at all of our schools. So if a student does get a fruit or a um non-p perishable item, they can put it in the shared table and if a kid wants it, they can grab um that item. So um decreasing food waste and and sharing. Um summer meal programs, learn a meal meal programs, again um ensuring that students when they're not at school, they have access to a breakfast and lunch every day. Um and then marketing our program, which is is huge. Um, next, um, we do surveys to try and better our program, not only from our students, but
064our principles, um, um, central office staff. Um, one, one of the cool projects that I really liked is the kitchen staff over at Cleveland. They work with the arts department, um, and the kids were able to generate um, posters that they put up in the cafeteria. So, you can see one of them there in the middle. It's a milk uh, poster. So, um getting the kids involved um in that area. Uh balloon alofts, district office caterings, menu, March Mad, March Madness. So, we bracket out our um favorite items and then the kids can vote on them and then um they can see which which is the the favorite meal for those students at that school. Um and then obviously reimburseable meals for field trips and you know we try and reach out to our sports
065teams on athletic directors ensure that they have meals when they go um on their uh their games. Um what's going on this summer? Maggie Cer uh Maggie as well as Ernest Stapleton are getting new refrigerated air. Kudos facilities uh Mr. Baker for allowing us to get uh refrigerated air. was the last kitchens that didn't have it. And so, um, it'll make a more comfortable environment for our staff. Um, Eagle Ridge Middle School, we got a Capitol Outlay, um, grant for that, so we're able to, um, kind of, uh, remodel that kitchen and put in some some high quality equipment in there. Questa, again, we're implementing the the the K prek program. So, we got to make sure that we can feed those kids by expanding our kitchen and so forth. Um, Mountain View Middle School,
066Rio Rancho Middle School is getting new equipment. And obviously, last but not least, summer meals. We've been transitioning into that. Um, we have our uh summer programs and summer schools. And not only do we do that, but we uh offer meals at eight parks throughout Rio Rancho. Um, next, Tower Gardens. Um, again, there's some pictures. We did implement that in in a couple schools. Um, great experience. Um, you know, we worked uh closely with Miss uh Key to ensure that we can get that STEM initiative and get that impact and and show them, you know, where the food goes and so forth. Secondar is Batistrica machines. Not only we offer reimburseable meals, but they're able to get, you know, boba te. Those were some of the new things we rolled out in real high in
067Cleveland. And then obviously the roing chef there. Um, we will be expanding that to other elementary schools next year. Um, next, um, what what's next? We're going to modify menus. Um, review opportunities to bring better product in. Um, some more training for staff. Obviously, you know, training our staff is important so they can provide those quality meals. Um, equipment. Equipment goes down. So, we have a good equipment uh tech person, but we have to replace these. District's getting old. Um and then increase middle school participation. Something with the middle school kiddos, but they're they want to hang with their friends and sometimes they forget to eat. So, um trying to leverage those students to try and get them um items that they want to consume and then obviously reduce food waste. But um other than
068that, I really uh I I really do appreciate the time um to talk to you all about our program. Um you know, we take pride in what we do here at Rear Rancho Public Schools and and it's important that we get um quality meals to our students. But um other than that, any questions that the board, Dr. uh Dr. Dodd, that you may have or myself, comments? I'll just say I know you're super passionate about this and so I appreciate all you do. Um if you want to increase participation or breakfast I'll add two. I'll don't I won't feed them in the morning. They're coming over for [laughter] sounds. >> Just drop them off. Well, if you can maybe five minutes early. I know. >> Yeah. Little they'll be early enough. Yeah. But they need
069to be hungry before they show it. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for >> Thank you, board member Barry. We appreciate it. Anything we can do for your kiddos, that's what we'll do. >> [laughter] >> I know our kids are at the same elementary school. So, yeah. >> Okay. >> I love You have some really creative uh things. You're really selling it. Um but I also like to acknowledge the teachers. I know there's a lot of teachers who provide snacks um during the day. Um and there's a lot of families that aren't able to supply their kids with snacks. Is there any way we could use that food waste? Not waste. Um yeah, >> that's that's uh board member uh Smith. That's definitely uh something that's been on my mind. Not only we do breakfast and lunch,
070but we al also offer uh after school snack. It has to be after the school. But one thing that I've been trying to do is get uh the fresh fruit and vegetable program, USDA fresh fruit and vegetable program at more of our elementary schools. Um the threshold is 50% free and reduce um percentage. And so all the schools, elementary schools that fall under that threshold, we offer them at least two times in the afternoon a fresh fruit and vegetable um program. And it it's unique, right? And then provide that educational piece. So that but definitely the food waste piece. I think we can be a little bit more creative on how we can um implement that. So thanks for the input. >> It's easier said than done, I'm sure. Um and my daughter has come
071in come home with some interesting fruits. So, I'm guessing that's where [laughter] dragon fruit, starfruits, all a bunch of fun things for the kiddos. So, they enjoy it. >> Just thank you for everything you do and your staff does for our children. Appreciate it. >> I I will just second what what our board members have said. U Mr. agree. I guess I've had the good fortune of getting to all our schools and um sometimes the timing has been right where I've seen breakfast or I've seen lunch and um you obviously your your people are so invested in taking care of our kids and making sure they're our nutrition is at a very high level. They're wellfed, taken care of, um with a with a dose of love and care and um and and you're you're
072it starts with leadership. So, thank you, Felix. >> Thank you. Yeah. Thank you, Sarah. And I think at Cleveland, the staff is almost as excited as the kids for that boutique. >> My kids love it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Was there any public comment? Nope. Next is the consent agenda. We need a motion to that. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. Remember, >> board member second. >> We have a motion and second. All in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Nothing heard. 4 zero. Next is business number one. Where'd you go, Felix? Come on, man. >> Couldn't get rid of me yet. >> Approval for your SF renewal contract. >> Sure. So, uh, in front of you, you do have a member, uh, memorandum. Um, I did work
073with, uh, Chris Tweet, uh, purchasing director of finance. uh Mr. Baker and legal counsel. Um the approval renewal one for the adjustment of fixed mill cost. Um and so last year we did uh go to bid and we did award the contract to southwest food excellence. However, peed has a process in place for every year we do a renewal and basically on that renewal you discuss any type of amendments the contract or um adjustments. Um so we are um asking the board to renew Southwest food excellence for another year. Um the contract is is a four-year duration. It's till June 30th, 2029. Um we are requesting that um we approve the renewal based on the current CPI. So current um cost per inflation is at 3.8. Um and so the fixed meal prices um are
074going to $421 is what we face off with food excellence which is a 15% or 15 cent increase. Breakfast is at 266 which is a 10-cent increase and snack at 127 which is a 5 cent increase. Um, with that being said, um, we'll continue to increase milk quality, incorporate scratch cooking, and retain existing staff, um, and then continue to administer the USDA federal program along with the state health universal school meals um, program. Um, do I have any questions with regards to the renewal? >> I don't have any questions. I just think it's very New Mexico. So, it's a four-year contract. We have to renew it every year. [laughter] So, yeah, there's no questions or concerns from the board. We will take a motion to approve the memorandum. And >> board member Barry uh moves
075to approve the memorandum for award for RRPS board SND SF renewal adjustment to fix prices 26 to 27. Is that good enough, Doc? Council >> board member Smith seconds. >> Right. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Motion carries. And I see your I forgot your name, ma'am. But you are awesome for SF back there. >> That's uh Terry Artubet. She's the general manager for Southwest Food Excellence. She's she >> super nice and I eat all the SF food I can find. So, >> thank you, Terry. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Felix, one other thank you for the tower garden at at Kenus. I got to see that in the steam lab. That that was you you paid for that, right? >> It's amazing. Southwest who uh in our
076RFP last year, they paid for that. >> Awesome. >> But we're looking to try and spend additional funds to do more of that at other schools. >> That hydroponics experience for kids is really cool. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Next, Mr. Mike Baker. the amended negotiated agreement between Rearanch public schools and the rearential school employee union and Miss Helen will be joining you. Uh good evening, Vice President Mueller, Superintendent Dodd, and members of the school board. So, uh this evening we present to you the uh RR uh PS uh employees union and RRPS uh union contract uh consider for approval. And what I'd like to do is kind of go over the the major changes uh in the contract from this year uh into next year and then I'll turn it over to
077Billy for her comments as well. So every year uh springtime um uh RRPS and the union get together uh we review the contract and we negotiate. And so fortunately uh we do have uh an agreement um and we are again uh asking the board uh to approve this uh agreement uh this evening. So let me go over some of those changes. Uh the first change significant change has to do with actually uh extending the date to June 30th of 2027. The next change which is probably um more complicated than many of the other changes has to do with article 20 subsection C. Little uh history on this. um we took the the better part of about a year to actually negotiate um this sub article and we had it in anou. Thatou um we fulfilled
078thatou this year. So that was kind of the the the test as you will this fiscal year. And essentially what it has to do with it, it has to do with paying um special ed teachers a stipen for case loads over a 1.0. And so the details uh what we've decided to do, the details are on page 23 and 24 um of the contract. And so essentially uh just spend a few minutes going over that. So case loads over a 1.0 O when you look at subsection um C number one 2 3 4 6 and seven that essentially are the rules how we plan on paying those stipen stipens and then when you look at number 5C5 those uh ratios actually come from the state so we're adopting those state standards uh and paying the
079teachers above that 1.0. When you look at subsection 9, um those are essentially that is the calculation. It's a stepbystep uh method how we actually calculate um by using the weighted average to come up with the actual stipend. And so if if the board wants me, I could go into uh into detail um on that, but um in that subsection C, it is it is outlined. Um we think fairly clearly and I think we had a pretty good year actually um fulfilling what we promised in theou. If we go down to um oh and by the way u so that that those stipens will cost a district approximately 320,000. If we go to article 30 uh subsection F2 uh we're looking at converting allowing the employees to convert two sick days to personal days. There's
080a variety of ways that we can do this analysis and uh in essence um this article will cost a district approximately 114,000 potentially more depending on how many um employees actually convert um that time we go to article 32A that's uh our insurance uh there's requirement by the state to actually go into an 8020 that uh there's a cost to that of approximately 4.5 million. Uh article 34A1 is a 1% salary increase uh that is costing the district approximately 1.8 million. Uh in regard to some of those costs, specifically uh the insurance costs uh and the salary and co cost, the SCG did increase um to cover those costs. I went over that uh during our our budget um uh training session and and review. Um and so whether we actually received the entire amount
081um from the state um I think we fell a little bit short there. Uh but in any regard uh these things that are in uh the contract uh they do increase our cost. Those items are within the budget. And um I think what I'll do is I'll turn it over to Miss Healing and then we'll open um for questions. >> Thank you. Uh Vice President Muller, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Dodd. Uh now that Mike has walked us through the techn technical amendments contained within the 2627 negotiated agreement, I wanted to share a few words on behalf of Ray Rancho School Employees Union regarding the spirit of these negotiations and what these changes mean for our members. First, I want to state clearly that this year's negotiations went incredibly well. It is always a
082true pleasure to sit at the table and collaborate on behalf of our hardworking staff. When labor and management share a mutual respect and a singular focus, the well-being of our educators, support professionals, and students, we achieve great things. This process proved that we can work hand in hand to strengthen the district as a whole. The changes Mike just presented are more than just text on a page. They represent meaningful high impact improvements to the daily professional lives of our workforce. I'd like to highlight the importance of two things in the agreement. The permanent sick leave conversion. Transitioning the sick leave to personal leave conversion to a pilot from a pilot program into a permanent contract benefit is a massive win for staff morale. It treats our employees with the professional autonomy they deserve. It gives
083them flexibility to manage their personal lives with which directly then targets burnout. um special education state the stipens Mike discussed our special education and gifted teachers f face really unique and heavy administrative and instructional workloads. The special education case load stipen language implemented in this agreement was successfully integrated from a memorandum of understanding originally established during the 2526 school year. But by performalizing this transparent and structured stipen procedure, it acknowledges and compensates them when their case loads exceed a standard workload. And we're actively uh tackling retention in a really critical high vacancy area. Our members have already spoken clearly on these updates. Following a democratic vote, our duespaying membership officially ratified the agreement with 100% in favor of what we've done here. I can tell you firsthand that our staff deeply appreciates the work that
084went into this document. They feel heard. They feel valued. And they recognize that these changes are a direct investment in their professional well-being. When our educator support sta educators and support staff feel supported by their contract, that energy goes straight back into the classrooms and into student success. This agreement stands in a as a testament to what we can accomplish through collaborative leadership. On behalf of the Rio Rancho School Employees Union membership, we thank the district's negotiation team and leadership for their partnership. and we tr we respectfully request the board's final approval and signature on this agreement to set a positive, stable tone for the upcoming school year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Are there any questions, comments? Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you for doing that for those special ed teachers. That's very important. Um,
085and just it's not really doesn't really have to do with this so much, but um, the state offers the retention stipen as well. And so maybe just advertising that for those teachers. That's an extra 2500. I think >> I think it it is a very targeted >> Yes. population of special education teachers. I would love to see the state open it up to more more of our special education teachers, but yes, definitely. >> Real quick, the impact between Leave it on. Uh the impact that of the conversion of two personal days is that just the expenses because perhaps more will use it. Is that why it's cost a little bit to do that conversion? >> Yeah. Uh one of the expenses has to do with um actually having sub substitute teachers in the classroom, >>
086but they'll leverage it more. That's why it's more expensive is because because a sick day you still need a sub and a and a personal day you need a sub. So is it just more expensive because they're going to use it more frequently >> theoretically. Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Thank you so much. >> Is my turn. Um, I want to thank uh, President Helen and the Rio Rancho um, employees union and Mike Baker um, for the work that went into this agreement. I know a ton of time and a ton of work um, went into it. Uh, I I say this over and over again, our employees are the heart of Rio Rancho Public Schools. Investing in them uh, that this board is doing um, is one of the best investments
087we can make. Period. Um, I appreciate the collaboration, the professionalism, uh, and the commitment that everyone brought to the negotiation table. Uh, I think that this agreement, what Mr. Baker has told me about it, um, really reflects our shared commitment to supporting our staff, as you said, President Holene, and ultimately providing the best possible experience for our kids. So, thank you both, and thank you to the negotiation team. Thank you so much. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. And if there's nothing else, we will take a motion to approve the amended negotiated agreement. Board member Barry uh motions to uh approve the amended negotiate agreement between Rio Rancho Public Schools and Rio Rancho P uh schools employee union. >> Board member Murray. Second. >> We have a motion and second. All in
088favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. Motion carries. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you all. We appreciate you. >> Patrick Martinez, come on down. >> This is an update right for the way they change the word or something. >> Yes. So, good evening, uh, Vice President Mueller, uh, Superintendent Dr. Dodd, board members. Um, so I'm here to request approval for the, uh, state of New Mexico Department of Transportation first amendment to fund uh, 892000 capital appropriation project. Uh, this uh, appropriation was originally um, granted in 2024. And what this amendment does is it changes the language for the scope uh which will allow more flexibility in how these funds can be used. Um it was determined uh about halfway through having
089the appropriation that the language was a little bit confusing and and limited how we could use it. And this is specific to the Riotech campus. So the um [sighs] the uh circulation off Zenith Court um so the new language which states we will now be able to plan, design, construct an access point for traffic entering and exiting Rio Rancho public school district facilities at Zenith Court Northeast and New Mexico State Road 528 in Sandal County may include additional improvements for traffic access to the district facilities. And then with this um the original reversion date was uh June 30th of 2027 and this amendment allows uh for an additional year for us to expend the funds. Um with that I stand for questions. >> I don't think anybody knows what it is. So no questions. [laughter]
090>> Whatever you say. Just kidding. You know, >> it's for the roads, man. Have you ever been over there? Because now Explore Academy is in there. They bought all three buildings in behind the So, it's it's a if you have any kids over there, you know, family over there. It is a traffic nightmare getting out of there. >> It's busy. Yeah. >> So, we have nothing else. We will take a motion to It's anou, right? >> It's a person agreement. Yeah. to adopt the right I'll make the motion to adopt the department of transportation first amendment to fund 89200 capital appropriation project >> board member Smith second that >> right we have a motion to second all in favor say I >> I any oppose say nay nothing heard motion carries thank you sir >>
091thank you Mr. Martinez. >> Next, Jerry Reer. I saw you hiding over there in the corner sneaking out. >> Vice President Mohler, Dr. Dodd, members of the board, I present to you the IDEIDA application um for approval. And just the main portion of it for students ages 3 through 21. Um it is for $4,372,983 and for the IDEAB preschool grant the amount is $64,630. And just the basic program summary is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides federal funding to support special education and related services um for students with disabilities. The goal of the IDEIDA is to ensure that children with disabilities receive a appropriate educational service in compliance with the federal law. And then I'm sure you've seen on the subsequent pages the the many many asurances that we are required to give um
092to support our students. Um so with that without reading all that to you um if you have any questions I'm happy to answer them. Is the principal expenditure you probably said this and it's it just didn't think is this staff support. >> It it can pay for teachers staff. >> Do we expect that's what's principally going to be useful? >> Yes, sir. >> So my question was is the 4 million and then the 64 is that what we're requesting or is that what we're getting? >> No, it's flow through. So we we get that >> and then at the near the end of the year they adjust it and it'll go up or down probably 300 to 500,000. Usually it goes up but there have been years where it's gone down. >> Is it similar
093to a grant that you're going to have to do you do quarterly or monthly reports on it on what you're doing expend? >> It is a grant and the reports really go through finance monthly. They they submit for reimbursement. >> So we spend it and then they pay us back. >> Correct. Any other questions? >> I thought Stephanie was nodding her head. All right. If not, then we will take a motion to consider approval for the ID application or to approve it, not to consider it. >> Um board member Smith. Um motions for approval of the IDEIDA application. >> Board member Barry second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. Nothing heard. Motion carries. Thank you sir. >> Thank you board. Thank you Mr. Reer. >> Next for advanced
094planning. There is no special work session on June 22nd. So take that off your calendar. We'll have a regular board meeting posted by yours truly. So, better see all you guys. >> When is that? Do we have a date for when we're going to do work on that? Is it TBD right now? >> I think it's to be determined. >> I apologize. Which >> the 22 uh the special work session >> because that's the Gibson. Wasn't the Gibson report work? >> Yeah, we have to reschedu that. >> Oh, it's been Yeah, it's been they did cancel it, but we haven't heard a new date. That's >> okay. We'll provide a due to date. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks for the reminder. >> The real question is is how many board meetings more are Vice
095President Muller going to lead? Just kidding. >> As many as you will allow. [laughter] >> The 22nd, same bad time, same bad channel. Here we are. And then the 13th, 27th, August 6, mark your calendars, kids. First day of school. And then the 10th and the 24th, more board meetings. So with that we are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you board. >> Have a great summer everyone.