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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 23 September 2017 23 September 2017

By Hallie Richwine

The Silver Consolidated Schools Regular Board Meeting took place Tuesday, September 19, 2017, in the Silver Schools Administration Building. All members of the Board of Education as well as Superintendent Audie Brown attended.

Aubrey Dunn, New Mexico State Land Commissioner, presented to the Board. Eighty-four percent of funds generated from the New Mexico State Land Office goes to the public schools. Nine million acres of surface estate and thirteen million mineral acres are held in trust for public schools, special schools, universities, hospitals, correctional facilities, water conservation projects, and public building construction and repair. Dunn informed the Board that gas and oil provide the main sources of revenue and that wind and solar only generate a fraction of that wealth. The maintenance fund uses about 1% (approximately 1 million dollars) for restoration and remediation,. Patrick Cohn asked how this affects the state when mining is the main economic driver. Dunn said that there is a local gravel pit located on state land, and some of the mine, too, put royalties go into the State Land Office fund, which in turn goes to the schools.The State Land Office holds a contest each year to design a bookmark. The contest is open to all New Mexico fourth-grade students and entries are due by October 14, 2017. Five categories with one winner being chosen fr

om each, offer winners a Kindle Fire and their bookmark will be printed and distributed at next year’s State Fair. Vice President Frances Vasquez asked if the Board as an entity needs to disseminate any information to the schools and teachers, which Dunn said the Land Office would do.

The State Land Office also encourages the public to use the land, with recreational permits costing thirty-five dollars for the year, with access for up to ten people. Educational access permits are also available. Dunn reminded the Board that the Mystery Stone in Valencia County is located on State Trust Lands west of Los Lunas. It is one of several examples of places maintained by the State for recreation rather than mineral resources.

Next to present was Jodi Edens-Crocker, Public Education Department Family Cabinet Representative. She explained that twenty-five family cabinet members across New Mexico meet four times a year in person as well as monthly on a conference call. Their job is to make communication easier from the state level to the community. Edens-Crocker wanted the Board to know she is available as a liaison.

Rob Price of ASA Architects offered advice to the Board regarding the major projects taking shape for multiple locations following the passing of the bond. Price wanted the board to know that the option of consulting with a “Construction Manager At Risk” rather that using the design-bid-build model may be more effective given the amount of money and the amount of projects spanning both time and different physical locations. Vasquez asked if this would cost any more than the usual process, which Price said it would not. The Board wanted to know specific reasons for employing this method. Price or someone else from the architectural firm will be contacted for more information.

Bianca Padilla explained the changes made to help curb truancy and dropouts this year. There is a push to do all they can to avoid filing charges, including holding interventions and having incentives for improved attendance. Even though it is the beginning of the year they are being proactive and utilizing the learning lab, to help students from having too many low grades and dropping out, and truancy “court,” where they help kids stay on track instead of having to file charges. Secretary Ashley Montenegro asked how many absences could happen before a parent is contacted. Padilla said in the past it was seven, but they are trying to get involved at three, going as far as making a home visit at five absences. President Mike McMillan asked what the incentive program entails, and Padilla explained it helps improve attendance by having a drawing for those who have had perfect attendance each week. Small prizes help keep students motivated and accountable.

Katrina Bustillos wanted to remind the board of some key factors in their consideration of the Proposed Changes to the Increment Schedule. The Silver Consolidated Education Association wants to make sure the special education teachers have adequate time to do their scheduling. At this time they do not have the same allotted time that other teachers do. Bustillos asked that this be kept in mind, especially for future planning, so these teachers have the time they need.

Superintendent Audie Brown announced the proposed High School graduation dates. The schools have slated the times as follows: Opportunity High School graduation on May 18, 2018 at 11:00 am, Cliff High School at 5:30 pm on the same day, Silver High School following on the 18th at 7:30 pm. Brown also said that this year the goal is for all schools to reach the level of “B” in the district with each school coming up with its own plan to reach that goal.

Cindy Milam reported a lot of professional development continues with inservices held by McGraw-Hill.

Michele McCain reintroduced the First Savings Bank debit card program, which would allow a percentage of service charges to be donated back to the schools.

The Board tabled the action item that would approve using a Construction Manager At Risk as more information is required.

Action Items that passed unanimously included the proposed changes to the Increment Schedule, approval of graduation dates, and approval of the proposed changes to the Silver Consolidated School District Wellness Policy.

The next Regular Meeting of the Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education will be October 17, 2017 at 6:00 pm with the Work Session immediately preceding at 5:30 pm. Both meetings take place at the Silver Schools Administration Building located at 2810 North Swan Street in Silver City.