By Hallie Richwine

The Regular Meeting of the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education began on Monday, March 12, 2018, following an executive session which lasted approximately one hour. Board President Ralph Sepulveda, Vice President Frank Cordova, and Secretary Frank Gomez attended. Board members Gilbert Guadiana and Gabriel Holguin were absent.

The open meeting began with a short presentation from Snell Middle School. First, principal Pat Abalos talked about how quickly the school year has gone. “With a four-day week it is a whirlwind,” he said. Snell is preparing for the end of the school year already. They had a successful canned food drive, hosted an eclipse event, and partnered with community agencies for “Mental Health Day”. Abalos introduced science teacher Cindy Lee to talk about her students’ projects.

Lee has been working hard with students on an “egg-citing chicken project.” Made possible through a grant, Snell has a chicken house and four hens. Students have cared for chickens, and classes take turns collecting eggs. Lee’s students participated in the Science Olympiad, hosted by Western New Mexico University, and the MESA rally, hosted by New Mexico State University. Students participate in STEM activities while becoming familiar with local college campuses. Lee herself is a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Math and Science. She is one of two state finalists for the national award.

In unfinished business, the board unanimously passed the updates to the procurement procedures and code of conduct. They also reviewed the school calendars as presented by Jose Carillo, which they will discuss again in two weeks.

Superintendent Robert Mendoza reported receiving the second of three donations from the Lions Crane Reading Foundation, through a grant from the United Way. The installments purchase seats for the virtual reading coach.

Mendoza also recommended a budget adjustment on behalf of administration, moving funds for use by the special education preschool program.

The Superintendent report included fundraisers submitted to the administration and school calendars to inform the board of school happenings, along with the spring sports schedules. Student Markus Flores was unable to attend the meeting so there was no student report.

Gomez reminded the board the fifth-grade graduation happens March 20, 2018 at 6 p.m.

The next Regular Meeting of the Cobre Consolidated School District happens Monday, March 26, 2018 at 6 p.m.