001Good evening. The Rear Rancher Public Schools Board of Education meeting for Monday, December 8th, 2025 is now called to order. All would please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Board member Gary Trip will lead us. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat] >> JC, will you take a roll call? >> President Galbreth, >> present. >> Vice President Morgan, >> present. >> Secretary Tyler, >> present. >> Board member Trip, >> present. >> Board member Miller, >> present. We have a quorum. >> Okay. Thank you. Sometimes I wonder if I could just give looks to Jaci and she would know everything that I want to [laughter] to do. We'd like to welcome
002everyone out tonight um to our meeting. Um we're excited to have you. It's kind of cold today though. I hear it's supposed to get warmer I hope through the week. Um we also want to welcome I know we have the cross country team here from Cleveland. We're excited to talk to you guys in just a few minutes. Um and so welcome everyone who's here um to present today and just here in the meeting tonight. We will start with introductory comments by our superintendent of schools, Dr. Visu Cleveland. >> Thank you all so much for being here this evening. We have uh this evening commendations of the uh NMAA state cross country championship for Cleveland High School boys team. Uh Todd Rash is here this evening, our executive director for athletics, and he will present uh
003someone you've seen a lot over the years, uh head coach, Kitty Henry, and they will share some information about this team and their absolutely outstanding season. I want to really congratulate every member of the uh Storm Cross Country team as well as the coaches and the parents who have supported this team uh this past year. So again, our congratulations is really exciting and uh we are so proud for you. We also have this evening the hall of honor recommendations. Um the hall of honor recommendations will be presented by Brenda Brooksby, community member and chair of the hall of honor committee. I think you are familiar now with the whole process of hall of honor. uh the nominee nominees uh have to be approved by the superintendent but then the final approval is the Rio Rancho
004board of education and these are individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the district over time. We have a lot of people who make wonderful contributions to the district and uh and and we appreciate that. The the uniqueness of this is that it's a major contribution and it's a contribution over a long period of time that has really impacted the district. This is the top honor that is bestowed on individuals or it can be organizations who have made a difference in the lives of our students, staff, and the larger community. And you probably uh have noticed outside the store uh there's a wall of uh of plaques there and those are all of the Hall of Honor uh uh people who have been inducted into that group over now I don't know 10 at least
00510 years and it's a really impressive uh group of individuals. We also have um Intel Corporation is one of the organizations that was recognized. We have um a capital outlay grant agreement, uh public school outlay request, House Mill 450. Patrick Martinez, our executive director for facilities, and Mike Baker, our chief operations officer, will be presenting this item for the board to consider. And the board is being asked to consider approving capital appropriation project 31400. funds can be used for excuse me for safety uh improvements for career technical education um facilities or maintenance and repair of uh school buildings for um this year and and beyond. Uh this particular agreement focuses on Enchant Hills Elementary School and a fire protection system there. Uh this grant will allocate over $600,000 for this very important safety project. The
006board has to do a lot of things to get this um this grant. We have to submit a very detailed project plan and that plan includes things such as and actually the list is much longer than this a procurement and expenditure plan, a very detailed timeline with milestones and uh information about what each of those milestones should look like. A detailed project budget and of course adherence to all state regulations and procedures. We have uh uh I can't believe we're back to the legislative session again. It seems like it's just been a very short period of time we did this. Uh Chris Melzano, our government relations uh consultant, is here this evening and Lauren Hatch, our chief legal counsel, will be discussing with the board uh your priorities and the strategies based on uh your
007current board resolutions and discussions uh about priorities uh from the the board of education. Also, it includes information about the LEC and LFC interim committee discussions and what they are looking to achieve in the upcoming session and what some of their issues and concerns uh will be. And then lastly, an overall economic, environment, and revenue projection discussion that will have implications for next year's budget. And then we have another grant approval. Uh Christopher Johnson, our principal of Rio of Riot Tech, will be asking the board of education to consider accepting a $25,000 grant from TLC Plumbing. Over the years, TLC has been a great partner and a supporter of the school district. And we want to express our appreciation not only for this, but for all of the contributions and their many years of support
008for our district and our students. Uh this particular grant will provide uh coveralls for students, tools that students could potentially uh leave with after graduation, promotional riot items like flyers and handouts as we recruit students to that facility, and items to be used um in classrooms that will promote the trades in the curriculum um in curriculum. And then last um staff and student shirts that identify them as being part of the school in campus. >> Are there any comments, questions, concerns? Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Cleveland. >> All right. We'll now go to approve the prioritized agenda and proposed time allocations. >> Madam President, this is board member Tyler. I'll make a motion to approve the prioritized agenda and proposed time allocation. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. I second. Motion, a second. All
009in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> All right, we'll now move into our commendations for the evening. Um, our one and only will be the NMAA state cross country championship for BU Cleveland High School boys cross country team. And we have Todd Rush, our executive director of athletics, along with Kenny Henry, their coach. Good evening, Board President Galbreth, Superintendent Cleveland, members of the board. It is with great pride that we recognize head coach Kenny Henry and the Cleveland Storm boys cross country program for capturing the 2025 state boys cross country championship, marking the program's seventh state title. Under Coach Henry's leadership, the Storm have built a legacy defined not only by championships, but by discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This year's victory reflects the program's enduring culture of hard work,
010and unity. A culture Coach Henry has carefully shaped and one that continues to elevate Cleveland High School as a powerhouse in New Mexico distance running. Congratulations to Coach Henry and the entire Storm team on yet another historic achievement. [applause] >> Yeah, thank you. We uh we're definitely honored to be here again. Um yeah, this this group to say that we're proud of them would be a huge understatement. I think um even me admittedly would say to go into the season this was maybe an unlikely group to do what they did at season's end. Um, and I only say that because a few of these guys weren't even varsity athletes last year. They had to make some huge improvements to to be on just to make this team, but then also to find the legs that
011they did over the course of the season was kind of remarkable. So, I'm going to real quickly here introduce one at a time because I have a few special things to say about them all. And I'm going to start with this young man at the end here, Peter Aker. Peter was our alternate actually at the state meet which in cross country when you only get seven athletes that get to to compete on the varsity. To find yourself in that group is very difficult to do. And even for us like typically the guy who um is the alternate is somebody that has probably run very well all season long and and is a very accomplished runner. And that's what this guy was for us this year. And I will say, not to embarrass him, he was
012a C team JV floater type guy last year. And in a year's time, he put his he put his uh hard work in. He jumped in with both feet, was our alternate at the state meet, like I said, and he's just a junior, so we have him back next year, and he is number two in his graduating class. >> All right. >> Next to him, Darius Caharo, is a freshman. Um, again, a ninth grader to be on the varsity all season long. To run at the state meet is a huge feat and this guy, uh, he did it. Um, he is going to be very special, I think, in his time in high school. Um, we are beyond excited for him. And so, you know, even going into this spring, I I guarantee you, you
013would be you would be smart to listen for the name Darius Cahero. All right. Next to him, senior. And we had five seniors on this group which uh I think made it quite special because you know for some of them they had to wait all the way till their senior year to even be able to be a part of something like this. Um but Don he uh he moved here from Arizona a couple years ago and we were very lucky to get him but he also was a uh like a JV athlete last year. Never ran really any varsity until this season. um had to have some serious patience to get the season that he had, but uh was our sixman at the state meet and ran a fantastic race. All right, another senior, Patrick
014Miranda. Um this guy uh wasn't found himself eighth place at the state meet, which is an all-state performance. And again, uh he's been a very good runner for us over the last few years. But if I would have had to bet on that to to start the season that he was going to be an all-state runner, I don't know if I'd have taken that bet. Sorry, Patrick. Um, but uh he he absolutely ran out of his gourd to get to get eighth place at the state meet. He's a 40 student, by the way. Um, next to him, Antonio Pacheco, who is just a sophomore. Uh, this guy, he last year was a varsity athlete for us as a freshman. Um, he's grown, believe it or not, probably a foot since last year. We're hoping for
015another foot over the next season because uh it's going to be dangerous if this guy if this guy does. But uh he was 14th at the state meet as a sophomore. Again, just a few spots out of all state. Um and I asked him what he was in his graduating class. He said he didn't know, but I'm quite positive he's in the top 10. So, another accomplished student. Lucas Pena, another one of our seniors. Um fourth place at the state meet this year. He uh this guy just totally flipped who he is as an athlete over this last year. Um he was always a very good runner for us, but he found out he had celiac disease last year, completely changed his diet and like I said, fourth place at the state meet. This guy
016just absolutely took off. And I and I think I mean they all have a huge role as far as our team doing what they're what they did but this guy's season I think totally was the game changer for us and he's what' you say 23rd in your graduating class. 23rd in the class. All right. Derek Abate next to him. Another one another senior. Um this guy was a varsity athlete last year but about midway through the season this guy just decided I'm going to be good and I'm going to be really good and took off. He was 12th place at the state meet. Couple Rio guys unfortunately edged him out of being in the top 10, but he ran a fantastic race. Um, top 30. Did you say? >> Oh, 36. My bad. >> 36th
017in his graduating class. And then last not least, Lucas Espinosa, senior state champion. Um, [applause] very very few people have that within them. And this dude uh worked his butt off. Had a few tough races leading into the state meet, but was able to, as a true champion does, find a way to say, "You know what? I'm having my best day at the state meet." State champion. 19th in your class. 19th in his in his graduating class. So which I've kind of alluded to the academic portion with these guys kind of tells you the level of commitment these guys put into everything they do. So thank you as always for having us. So proud of this group. >> Thanks guys. [applause] [applause] >> All right. Everyone knows I love runners and it has been it
018was really fun to watch you guys grow this year. I would have to agree with coach Henry. I didn't see Cleveland. I didn't see what you guys were going to do by the end of the season and it was really impressive. Towards your coach, I just have to say you guys have a wonderful coach and I am a lot in the running community and I hear about coach Henry from all different places throughout throughout the city and how respected he is. Um, but what I watch through the season is I don't know if he knows I creep on him all the time. I'm always watching. [laughter] But as I watched him through the season and I watched him with each of you individually, he just showed how much he cared. And Lucas, I know that
019district meet was hard for you. That was a rough meet. It was just rough as a whole, right? Am I It was a horrible meet. Um but um I just watched the support that he gave to you during that. And you did you rocked that state meet. You did such a great job. And so for each of you, I s I stand there, you know, my kids run for real, but I stand there and I'm like, that is a lot of blue coming through. So, we kind of knew how it was going to go. But truly truly impressive. You guys did a great job. And keep up with both aspects. I think runners are the greatest because we do. You guys have that. You have the academics. You've got both. And just keep your bodies
020and your minds healthy throughout the rest. I can't believe five of you are seniors. Hulk, that's scary for next year, coach, but it's going to be good. You guys have a great JV team coming up, too. So, congratulations to all of you. Um, Dr. Cleveland, do you want to add anything? >> Well, I would just again emphasize what's been said. What a fabulous job. And isn't it wonderful when you set those expectations high and they reach them even better when they exceed them? And who who minds being proved wrong? Uh, if you know, and and but that that um commitment to excellence and to staying the course. And I also want to commend you for the hard work that you've done your classroom as well. The balance between the two of those. And so as
021a team, you're just a phenomenal group. And uh congratulations for for representing your school so well and this community so well. And coach Henry again for just that ongoing commitment to excellence and uh your commitment to to to our students that are our runners. >> Yeah. Thank you guys. Thank you. And we're excited to see you at track. It's going to be it's going to be a whole another force. Does anyone else good? >> I just [applause] thank you guys. >> Sure. We can take a picture. >> Like to have a picture. If you're could come up here and turn around and then face the audience. >> Got my big shoes on today. So maybe I can see over your head. All right. Good job. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Congratulations. Good job. I just
022have to commend Coach Henry for memorizing where they stand academically. Most people wouldn't even be able to say all their names, but yes, to be able to just rattle it off with no notes, I'm super impressed. Also, just have to say like being 36th in your class, these aren't classes of 40 or 100 or 300. These are huge classes and so that just speaks volumes. Congrats. >> Thanks, guys. And uh Lucas Pena's dad's like kind of our unofficial official photographer for all things. So we hope he keeps taking pictures. So because we love them. So thanks again, guys. We appreciate it. [snorts] All right. [clears throat] All right. We will now move to our public comment. Um so we have two forms of public comment that come in through our online form and then also
023in person here in the boardroom. And so I'm going to start with our um online form that came in. We received one um for those ones I just I go through and just summarize what we received. Um but we received one from Patricia Camp. Um and just asking that when the board finalizes um announces the finalists for the superintendent position that they would provide some additional details. Um for example, how many applicants? um were they all presented to the board? Um and did the newly elected board members have a chance to participate in some other things? So um that is from our online forum. For our in-person public comment tonight, we have one inperson public comment. I always like to do a few reminders as um we get ready to to have our public comment
024in in the boardroom tonight. Um we will have three minutes. So there will be a a timer. Sorry, I'm having tr trouble with my words. There will be a timer. Um JC will be manning that. So, as soon as you start speaking, the timer um will be started. Um when that ends, we just ask that you please sit back down um and stick to your aotted time. And with that, please refer to what's in the agenda for what's appropriate within the boardroom. Okay. So tonight we have as I said one public comment um in person and that is from Andrew Antonian and you can correct me if I said that wrong. So please come on up and you can start your comments. >> Good evening members of the board. My name is Andrew Antonin and
025I am here today because I care deeply about supporting our students, our schools and my own family's involvement in this community. I applied to volunteer with Rio Rancho public schools so I could participate in field trips with my stepdaughter and contribute to a district that needs engaged parents and community support. I was denied not for anything I have done during my years of recovery and service but because of a felony conviction from ear from an earlier chapter of my life. I take full accountability for my past choices and I have worked tirelessly to rebuild my life. Today I'm in substained remission. I work in behavioral health, helping others overcome the same challenges I once faced. I speak at schools and state events encouraging students toward healthy choices. And agencies across New Mexico have approved me
026to work with children and vulnerable families, recognizing the transformation I have made. However, Rio Rancho Public Schools has adopted an approach that appears to hold volunteers to the same standards as licensed public education professionals. Volunteers are not employees. Volunteers do not carry the same responsibilities or authority, and yet they're being evaluated as if they do. Other school districts in New Mexico offer supervised and unsupervised volunteer pathways, allowing individuals who have been cleared by state agencies to still be involved and support students. These flexible models acknowledge two important truths. The community is stronger when more positive adults are present for children. The people who have successfully rehabilitated deserve the opportunity to give back. Right now, Rio Rancho Public Schools is not aligned with that approach. The result of a The result is fewer volunteers available for
027classrooms, fewer shops for students, and fewer parents and caregivers able to be present in their children's school's lives. This isn't just about me. This is about the kind of district we want to be. Are we the district that embraces community involvement or a district that creates barriers where none need to exist? Are we a district that recognizes recovery, service, and positive change, or one that closes doors forever based on the past? I am respectfully asking the board to take a closer look at the volunteer policy and consider a structure that allows for supervised participation for those who have been evaluated and cleared by other major state agencies. Not everyone who wants to help will fit into a perfect box, but many of us can still make a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of students.
028I believe Rio Rancho Public Schools has the opportunity to lead with fairness, restore trust, and welcome people who have done the work to change their lives and want to contribute. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your dedication to doing what is best for our students and the community. >> Thank you. >> And for all those who would like to come in and give public comment, we always welcome to come in person. I believe we have a couple of documents here in our desk that were left from the public comment tonight. So, thank you. All right. Um, we'll now go to um to approving the cons consent agenda. >> Madam President, this is board member Tyler. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. I second. >> All
029in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Okay. We'll now go to the business portion of our meeting for tonight. We'll start with our first item which is to consider the approval of Hall of Honor recommendations tonight. We have Brenda Brooksby and the Hall of Honor chair who will be presenting. Good evening, Madame President Galbroth, members of the board, and Dr. Cleveland. I'm here on behalf of the Hall of Honors Committee to present our two candidates for this year. The process of receiving the Hall of Honors nominations begins with a broad media advertisement for the request of nominations. Nominations were accepted throughout the months of October and November this year. Eligible candidates may not be current employees, Hall of Honor committee members, or board members. We received 48 nominations this year. That was
030five times as many as we received last year. So, we had our work cut out for us. The Hall of Honor committee considered all eligible candidates and we have um chosen two based on nominees making a significant contribution to the education in Rio Rancho public schools. With that being said, I'm pleased to announce before you tonight the two candidates for the board's consideration to be inducted into the Hall of Honor. Our first nominee is for a music teacher, Rebecca Orgill. Rebecca is a deeply respected music educator whose career spans more than four decades, including 22 years in Rio Rancho public schools. She taught at Rio Rancho Elementary School and San Die Vista Elementary. Her classrooms were joyful, creative spaces where her students not only learned music literacy, but also confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation
031of the arts. Rebecca became renowned for her extraordinary musical productions she directed each year, including third grade musicals, fifth grade patriotic shows and holiday performances, and the thriving before school choir program. These standing room only events showcased her remarkable organizational skills, artistic vision, and belief that every child deserves a meaning meaningful role. Generations of students credit her with inspiring them to pursue music in middle school, high school, college, and beyond. Colleagues and families consistently describe her as a dedicated, innovative, and transformative in the way she shapes school culture and students lives. Even after retiring in 2018, Rebecca continues to enrich her community through private piano instruction, church music, mentorship of UNM student teachers. Um, she remains a beloved figure who supports former students at performances and milestones still today, often years after they leave her
032classroom. Known for her generosity, humor, and unwavering devotion of children, Rebecca Orgo leaves a lasting legacy as an educator who brought music, joy, connection, and to thousands of students and families. Our [snorts] second nominee is Matthew Dvaro, a member of the community. Matthew J. Deavaro has been a steadfast advocate and a foundational force in the creation and the growth of Rio Rancho public schools since 1994. As one of the community members who helped launch the district, he traveled to New Mexico state legislator to lob for fund funding spoke at Rio Rancho town hall to support the passage of the first school bond and efforts that ultimately financed the construction of Rio Rancho's earliest schools. He worked during these formative years to help lay the groundwork for the district that would grow to serve thousands of
033students. His commitment to RPS continued long after its founding. Matthew served in multiple bond committees, organized community phone banks through his real estate office, and became the first president of Rio Rancho Education Foundation, providing scholarships for students and grants for teachers. Alongside Jim Cleveland, he distributed school board bond signs across the community, played an important role in the developing of Rio baseball fields. His service has even extended to the hands-on contributions, helping with demolition, construction, and even furniture assembly for the district's first administrative building. With deep knowledge Rio Reno's with deep knowledge of Rio Reno's planned residential growth, Matthew [clears throat] offered crucial guidance to district leadership, including Dr. Cleveland and facilities directors on future school sites, long-term expansion. His collaboration with city officials, administers, and administration strengthened the district's development, ensured thoughtful planning for
034generations of students. For more than three decades, Matthew Dvaro has remained one of Rio Rancho's most enduring champion, shaping the district's past, present, and future through his dedication, leadership, and an unwavering belief in the power of public education. Any questions? Ah. Um, Dr. Cleveland, do you want to add anything? >> I just a couple of things. Obvious our first nominee is is uh, uh, Rebecca has been recognized for many years as one of our very talented fine arts staff and and she truly is a legend in terms of her performances and the number of people that turn out to to see their their their children perform. So, a real advocate for fine arts in our state and um just what you would hope every student would have an opportunity experience in fine arts and so
035she's very u very worthy of this recognition and uh uh I I'm sure that she would be thrilled to know um that uh she was being considered. Uh the the second gentleman, Matt Diavo, Diavro, um is one of the first people I met in Rio Rancho when we started the district. And as I said, he had been working on a committee for almost 10 years to get this district created. And um he went to Santa Fe. He was part of a group of about 10 that really were responsible for this district being created by this what at that time the state board of education. Uh but I met Matt in a little different um um a little different situation. Uh I it was a time when there were no h there were no houses available
036in Rio Ranch. It was the Intel expansion and you couldn't find a house and it was really hard. You were putting your name in a hat >> and it drew it out and if you were lucky one you got the house. So um and I said well where are we going to find a house? And uh they said, "Well, if you want to find a house, then you talk to Matt because he's your best chance of finding one." And so I called him and he said, "Yes, I I'll be glad to work with you on that, but first I want to show you two or three of our schools and what shape they're in and why we need to to get to work and we have a hard job ahead of us as we create
037this school district." And I remember him taking me and I won't name the school, but taking me through the school, it was an APS school at the time. And and saying, "Do you think this is a good learning environment for children?" And uh I said, "Well, no." And he said, "Well, my children go here and it isn't a good environment." And we as parents and and and staff, we're going to pull together and make this strong district and and and create a better learning environment for kids. The the end of the story was that he went into a a house that was a model home. It wasn't even for sale at the time. They planned to have it anywhere from three to six months. And somehow Matt talked him into not only giving up the
038house, but selling it at a discount because he said the new district needed a superintendent. So I have known him forever. He did help us in the our first district office building is now under Unser Boulevard, but it was condemned and it was the only building in the entire city where we could start the school district. And it was full of pigeons and snakes and all kinds of other things. And Matt and and Jim and a whole group of them came in and they cleaned up that building for us and made it livable. and um they just put hours of work and donated furniture and uh fixed things and made it a good environment for us to start uh the new district. Played a key role in the years with bonds and uh getting the
039information out, putting out signs, personally putting out signs across this entire community. And he has just been a good friend of this this district for so many years. So, we've got two outstanding. One is instructional, one is someone who's made a great uh impact in classroom and one from the community and someone who has helped us thrive as a school district and uh and succeed. And so, uh I'm excited about both these nominees and I think they are very worthy uh nominees for this recognition. >> All right. Thank you. Any questions from the board or comments that would like to make? >> I have a comment, Mr. Mr. Chair, um I um I know Mr. Diavo personally and and his family and I couldn't think of a better choice and uh but and and as
040Rebecca as well, but I I my comment is really towards Brenda and I don't know how many people in the audience know or how many people watching know, but this lady has single-handedly helped us pass bonds on the whole side of the community of which we at serving as the San Dieista parent leader, Mountain the Mountain View parent leader, Cleveland High School. She's um she has as well as other other friends and family have supported the the fine arts program in this district for many many years. Her her daughter's graduating from New Mexico State University because she's an overachiever achiever. and you saw the Cleveland Storm cross country team. Her daughter would have been saying what I don't know if she was one, two, or three, but she was right there as well as but
041I I always appreciate her and Beth Pendergrass uh working so tirelessly on our bonds and then all of a sudden I'd go to a Cleveland basketball game and she would say, "Okay, girl, you got to buy some coffee for the band." You know, this this family doesn't a whole lot. And I just need to say that how much we appreciate parents in our community that love this district. So, thank you for doing the Hall of Fame as well. Thank you. >> I love it. Any other comments or questions? I can go to that motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the Hall of Honor recommendations. >> Gary Trip, I second. >> Okay, got a motion, a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you so much for coming in
042and thanks Gary for giving us giving us more information. It's always just it's lovely to learn a lot about our community. So, thank you. All right. Um our next will be to consider the approval of New Mexico capital outlay grant agreement capital approbation project fund 31400 fire protection system at Enchanted Hills Elementary. Mike Baker, our chief operations officer. >> Uh, good evening, President Galbbert, Dr. Cleveland, members of the school board. So, um, this document is to we're requesting approval actually of a reauthorization of a project that, uh, we've been working on for for some time. Uh, the capital outlays in the amount of 600,000 um 33270. Uh the project is for fire protection system at Enchanted Hills Elementary School and so uh facilities they have been working on this project for some time and typically
043we try to spend our capital outlay within one year. Uh this project appeared to go beyond that one-year scope. I asked for a reauthorization to carry it over into the next fiscal year knowing that it was probably not going to get complete by June. The project is now complete. Uh we're ready for the reimbursement of those funds and so I ask for your approval. >> Dr. Cleveland, do you want to add anything on this? >> I think that's that's okay and it is a really good uh amount of money [clears throat] to do what we need to do at Enchanted Hills. So it's that's that's wonderful exciting news to receive this. >> Yeah. Madam President, this is board member Tyler. I'll make a motion to approve the New Mexico Capital Outlay Grant Agreement Capital Appropriation
044Project Fund 31400 for fire protection system at Enchanted Hills Elementary. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. I second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Good seeing you, Mike. >> [laughter] >> That's good. All right. Our next is to consider the approval of legislative priorities. Chris Balszano um for our government relations along with Lauren Hatch, our chief legal counsel will present. And it's nice to see you, Chris. We haven't seen you in a little bit. >> Yeah, very well. >> Good evening, Madam President, members of the board, Dr. Cleveland. Um thank you for the opportunity to present tonight. Just to echo what Dr. Cleveland said in her opening remarks, "It's hard to believe it's December 8th, a little over 30 days from the beginning of the next
045legislative session, which is a 30-day session in 2026. Um, there's a presentation, you've probably seen it. Um, the session starts on January 20th. It'll go for 30 days till February 19th. This is a budget session and so a lot of the legislation that you would see during a normal 60-day session, u we won't see that. It'll be stuff that's focused on money. And um I I think I'm going to turn the time over to Chris to talk about kind of some of the things that we've been seeing that the LFC and the LFC have been talking about as issues this year. >> Uh Madame President, superintendent, uh good evening. Good to be here with you all. And yes, uh we are going to start over again uh next month. Um so I'm very excited to
046represent the district. Um I don't know if you have there the presentation with you, but I uh added some of the topics that uh the legislature and the governors uh will be working on. Remember the governor has control over this session. So is what she chooses um to be uh debated uh when it comes to policy and the budgetary matters of the state. Um so we're going to have healthc care access in rural New Mexico which is a issue um that has been for the last uh few years um behavior mental health infrastructure with water systems public safety specifically on juvenile justice reform. uh we can see that all over the news all over the state that is a issue um that's happening here school bus transportation formula uh we are continue working with that
047I have not give up on that has been a a goal and I'm very happy to know that the legislative finance committee and the legislative education committee is looking to that as well and I believe uh this upcoming uh session we're going to have a good debate and in committee and a six day session we're going to uh finally uh opened a can of worms and really reformed that formula uh once and for all. Um there's a lot of work that other school districts are doing on that as well and Reancho public schools uh will be part of that. um public school capital outlay uh some uh revisions on the match uh of the formula uh Martinez the Azi action plan that's another subject that probably you all have been hearing uh the PD with
048their forums around the state getting feedback from the community working on uh what it needs to be done with the Yaza Martinez that's a big topic there too and then revisions on House Bill 63 from 2025 regular session which is the SCG formula. Um so all that that you see there we may see bills that are policy and changing statue but the primary focus like uh uh uh Lauren said is the budget. Um so we might see things related to funding under the topics that are listed there. If you go to the next page, um, is your board priorities and some of those priorities align with the subject matter of what we're going to see the legislature working on. Um, so is listed there for you. And then we have the additional priorities that we
049asking to take into consideration uh K12 um with the 60 hour for secondary teachers. working on revising that and restating the out of school time funding that was cut off on the fiscal year 2025. We left open there to see any feedback from the board on what you think we should be working on, if there is anything else that we should be advocating or lobbying at the state legislature. On the next uh page is just an overview of what we have overall uh for our clients secure when it comes to funding during uh sessions. And with that um we can even slide back to the previous one to have a discussion or any questions or any statements that you might have when it comes to what you would like our team to work on. >>
050Okay, go ahead. >> Thanks, Chris. And I I just want to emphasize that on page four, um the R RPS board priorities, this lists all of those resolutions that the board prepared and uh uh passed uh earlier this fall and um we'll work on all of those issues, advocate on those issues along with our partners. Um the stuff [clears throat] that we're proposing that we also work on is to continue to support adequate school funding. You remember last year there was a substantial change in the revenue to Rear Ranch public schools. Um working with Dr. Cleveland who provided leadership along with the board. We were able to go to the legislature and advocate for having adequate um uh funding for the district with House Bill 63 and some other things. We were able to accomplish
051that. We want to make sure that we're continuing forward with having what the district needs to be able to to meet its needs. Last year, we also worked a lot on K12 plus issues, specifically um making sure that our elementary school teachers and our secondary teachers have the same amount of professional development time. We pushed a bill um we were very successful until the very end and it didn't pass. There's only one way to pass a bill and there's a thousand ways for a bill to die. Um we we passed 999 of those ways and we didn't quite make it there. We want to work on that again if that's okay with the board. And making sure that there is adequate funding for afterchool activities for our students. We had some really great funding a
052couple fiscal years ago and it that kind of dried up. So we want to approach that as well. and then ask, is there anything else other than the resolutions, other than these things that we're proposing here that we ought to be working on during the session from the board? >> Okay. I do have a question real quick. So, on that increase, you know, the professional development and I remember how that all fell apart. Do do we know is there a bill already kind of in the works and is there a way that we can get like bipartisan sponsorship for that bill? I think that's what we lacked probably last time. Do we have any idea how that's looking right now? >> Um I understand that uh that uh Representative Cole would like to run that
053bill again. >> Um there may need to be a message from the governor on it. >> If I remember right, we actually had bipartisan um I mean bipartisan sponsors. >> We had pretty good support from it from the union, from other school uh districts and also from the >> the associations. um it really ran into uh an issue with um how much it was going to cost and there was some disagreement about how much it might cost. >> Okay. >> Um I I would it's it's fundamentally an issue about the budget. >> Um we'd like to work on that again. I think Representative Coen would like to work on it again >> and see if we can get the right mix together. Sometimes bills take a couple years to get it passed. >> Yeah. Yeah.
054And I appreciate she did a great job advocating for that bill. She did. >> She really did. She did and for her, you know, first time in there, she I I was very impressed. So, she did a great job. Um, so we'll go to questions or comments from the board, but I wanted Dr. Cleveland, did you want to add anything? >> Um, if we go back to the previous page, uh, this one I know you are aware of, but I just want to point out on the the teacher lensure adv advancement. Um, it has become an issue for us in terms of our uh, HR. uh we we find that um some of our teachers who already have master's degrees uh resent having to go now through another credentiing process that is done on their
055own time and they find it to be rather repetitive and redundant what they picked up in their graduate program. Uh this is a an area the union has really picked up and worked on. I had an opportunity to speak with the union president. Uh they were able to secure a meeting with the lieutenant governor. um and and believe that there's some room this year for uh wider discussion of of that, but seem to be able to get some support out of the executive uh branch for it. But the bottom line, what what is the issue? The issue is that we have teachers who who uh leave the state refuse to do it because they're just not going to do it. uh given that they already have an advanced degree. Uh it keeps people from coming
056to the state if they have to do this extra uh credentiing process. Uh in almost all states when you have a master's degree that's considered acceptable for advancement. So we're trying to get um to be more consistent with what you find in other states. But more importantly, it it's an issue in in retention and recruitment. and the unions has really picked up their um their efforts to try to get this changed this year. And so I certainly want to give them credit for the work they've already done in the interim uh and that we want to continue to support that effort um as well. And and again I want to emphasize it's a choice. You want to do the credentiing that's great. You can do that. um you know when people ask an opinion about
057it I say personally I think the masters is the better deal because it's transportable to other states and credentiing is not so if you plan to stay in New Mexico it's a good option but if you think you ever might be forced to move to another location uh it doesn't benefit you in any way whereas a master's degree is recognized across the entire country. So, um, that's just one that we we've talked about in the past, but I did want you to know that there's a increased activity to try this year. Um, um, and again, the union seeing the same thing. It it hurts our recruitment and retention. >> Thank you. Uh, Gear Trip, >> my my only comment is about capital and maybe it's a question too because I I know Chris you put
058it on there that that it's being discussed and I noticed that we're I if I'm right, Mike Baker can correct me. 90% comes from us, 10% if we get any capital outlay dollars comes from them. And I know that building a school, whether it's an elementary, middle school, or high school, we we're pretty blessed. We've got great we pay good property taxes and we got a pretty good situation in Sandaval County, but it doesn't come close to being able to build a school for our children. So, I'm wondering what districts are like us and maybe there's a possibility of if it's at least a discussion point, what's what are those percentages look like for districts like us and other districts where we could build a school for a growing community in the next few years?
059You know, I don't know how to frame that into two good sense, but Rio Rancho keeps the same enrollment number, but our populations are shifting all over this community. And therefore, we need a school over here or we need a school over there. And we're ne we're never going to be able to build a high school with the amount of taxes we collect. I mean, that I don't know what a high school costs. I'm thinking $150 million nowadays money. So, I think maybe some emphasis if that's not too much to say, but strategized, you know, because I know it's not going to be a one-year fix on that capital outlay improvement, but maybe um you can put some good thoughts into that and Chris can do some magic over time, you know, with homework. I
060mean that capital I mean we just can't afford to build schools in the future and I know we're not probably we can't be alone. Maybe we could develop a caucus with a few other districts. >> Thank you. >> It is a capital outlay is a challenge. Um public school capital outlay is a particular challenge. Um we've had some success recently with getting additional capital outlay funds. >> Um and uh I I think Mr. Baker could talk more in detail about that. What we've been successful on recently, um, what they've been doing on a policy level, the legislature over the last few years, is they have come up with ways to reduce the amount that we have to pay and increase the amount that the state has to pay. I think we were about 9010, and
061Mike can correct me if I'm wrong, uh, for a long time. And then we also had all the capital outlay we would get from our legislators held against us. and they've they've reformed that process. Um I think we're about 7030 right now, >> so it's [clears throat] a little bit better. Um or I've got that wrong. It was 7030 before and now it's 9010. Is that right? >> Yeah. So, um it was about 90 US and so I forgot the house bill a couple of years ago. I don't know if it was House Bill 137, but they actually did two two things with the house bill. One was they they took our share reduced our share by a third and the second probably most important thing is they got rid of the infamous offsets. And
062so what happened um is that the re one of the reasons why it was so expensive for us and really not worth it for us to go to ESFA was because of the offsets. Well, it wasn't just affecting us, but it was affecting districts throughout the state. So, what happened was PSFA and the public school a council, they had all this fund, all these funds just sitting there because because it wasn't worth it for districts to actually obtain that funding [cough] because of [clears throat] the high percentage that districts were required to pay. Consequently, the legisl the legislature made a change reducing our share, eliminating the uh offsets to make it more to our advantage to do that. Now, very roughly, it's about a 6040 split. Um that that number actually changes every year. Um
063and the for prek, it's actually better than that. So, So now uh when we spend the time um and it is a lot of time going through the PSFA process and going to the um public school cult uh council uh it is actually worth it for us to do that. Uh this past year uh we went up there with Dr. Cleveland actually presented um and actually came back uh uh with a lot of funding for Rio Rancho uh in order to leverage the bonding uh that we already had. So right now it's it's um I think it's it's worth it for us to do that. However, what to me the rub really is that all districts are not treated the same. And so the state and I'm really unfamiliar with the formula but every year
064they come out with a formula on what that percentage is going to be and some some districts actually do much better than others. Um, I understand districts that can't actually that they don't have a bonding capacity, but I think to your point that we need to continue this dialogue with the legislators to try and make it maybe even a little bit more um to our advantage to get more leverage on some of our um taxpayer community funds where the state actually pays for >> I I think you're Exactly right with just one additional point. There's special needs and we're a community of special needs because we do need a high school and that alone puts it where we can't afford it. You know what I mean? As blessed or as good as it's been happening,
065there's those special needs. And I'm sure we're not alone. But I agree with everything you're saying just that we have a special need here with that. We'll keep we'll keep pushing it in positive direction that's useful for the school district or for other school districts. >> Yeah, Jeff Morgan, >> I don't have anything. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Okay, Beth Milling, >> no comments. Thank you very much. And Jessica Tyler, >> um, one comment. I think with one of the legislative priorities being the public safety and juvenile justice reform, I think it could be really beneficial for us to try to have a seat at that table. I know decades ago when I was aging myself here, but younger in my law enforcement career, we used to have really great working relationships with our school
066districts, the juvenile probation office, um, and law enforcement. And I think that those three entities need to rebuild those relationships. And I think that the JO has been largely absent from taking any action, and that'll be a big piece of that reform. But I think we absolutely need to have our schools at that table um during that conversation. So I would encourage us to be involved in that um aspect if if we're able to. >> Okay. >> Did you have anything else, Dr. CL? >> Just one thing we talked about before um with the team is we continue to watch the Yazi Martinez lawsuit. Um, but I will have to tell you it is really kind of uh uh moved away from the original lawsuit that we were part of. It looks very different today.
067Um, and and so we have to continue to watch that to try to get some of the priorities that initially um um helped us become involved in that lawsuit. Those issues still have not been resolved, but thankfully some of them are are on the list and and things like transportation. Uh, one has been mentioned. The one that hasn't been mentioned is instructional materials. And this year when we really looked at all of it, you know, Carol put a lot of time and effort into looking at everything we spent. We originally thought we were about 2 million short. Now she said we were probably closer to three million short. Uh the lawsuit said that a structural material should be paid. Uh this year every school district, New Mexico fell short in a really critical year for
068science adoption. So, that's just one more area that we need to keep our eye on is instructional materials because we need to give our teachers the very best tools that they they can have for their classrooms. And uh um it's we went ahead as a district and we did that. But again, we went and took that out of our instructional budget. So, it came right out of our classrooms. Uh and and really the state should be paying for instructional materials. That is part of their commitment just like transportation. So, uh, but I I would tell you that Yazi Martinez looks very different than when we were one of the five original litigants. Uh, you would sometimes think it's not even the same lawsuit anymore. It's kind of developed a life of its own. >> Okay.
069Thank you. So, just as we get ready to to go for a motion, what we're looking at is our current priorities, adding these additional priorities and then we had a little bit of conversation, I think, on on a couple of of other >> juvenile justice and making sure adequacy of instructional materials. I think that's what I've got down. >> Okay. [laughter] Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the legislative priorities as presented um and discussed. member Jeff Morgan. A second. [clears throat] Can get the mic on. [laughter] Um, >> all in favor? I >> I. Any opposed? >> Thank you. >> Motion carries. Thank you guys. All right. And our last of the evening is to consider the approval of a $25,000 grant from TLC Plumbing for Riot Tech. Dr. Christopher Johnson, our Riot principal,
070will present. >> Good evening. Uh, President Gabbert, Dr. Cleveland, members of the board. here to ask for consideration for the approval of a $25,000 grant from TLC Plumbing uh for Riot. That money will be placed in an account specifically for Riot. Uh the two areas that we'll focus on as a department where we will get tools, supplies, uh niplatives uh for the labs and for our students and then again for students boots, coveralls, overall success of students, promotional materials to continuously improve Riot Tech uh to its standard. And I'm also working with the COO and legal to establish procedures that we we ensure we're following rules, protocol, procurement um for for those funds. And I'll stand for any questions you have. >> Yeah. Questions from the board. >> Thank you. >> And Dr. [snorts] Cleven,
071do you want to add? Again, a thanks to TLC for uh another contribution to uh to one of our programs and we appreciate their uh their their donation, their generosity over many years. >> Yeah. Thank you. We're so grateful to our community. So, >> Thank you, >> Madam President. This is board member Tyler. I'll make a motion to approve the $25,000 grant from TLC Plumbing for Riot. >> Board member Jeff Morgan. A second. I wrote down the wrong name on my notes. All right, we have a motion, a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay, thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Um, so if you guys would please just refer to the agenda for advanced planning. Is there any questions on anything coming up that need to
072be answered before we adjourn for tonight? [snorts] Okay. Anything from you, Dr. Cleveland? Okay. So with that, our meeting's adjourned tonight. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Jessica, I just have one thing for you to sign. >> He's having a blast at that. Might want to go to that state. >> I've never been. I want to go as well. Yeah, sure. [laughter]