By Hallie Richwine

The Silver Consolidated Schools Regular Board Meeting took place Monday, July 16, 2018 in the Silver Schools Administration Building. All members of the Board of Education as well as Superintendent Audie Brown attended.

The meeting opened with Bill Rogers informing the board of the Asbestos Management Plan. All sites within the school district are inspected every six months, and then tested by an outside agency every three years. Reports are available for the public to view.

The board also received the report of the 2016-2017 audit findings from Stone McGee & Co. The report showed full compliance with state and federal regulations. Findings are reported to the state in early November and are not shared with the board until the state auditor allows.

Priscilla Lucero of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments followed. Lucero asked the board to consider rejoining the SWNMCOG, a membership that helps entities with technical assistance, grant writing, and finding miscellaneous resources from the local level all the way to state.

“Can you give an example of what the advantage would be in joining,” asked Michelle Diaz.

Lucero said the SWNMCOG can act as a fiscal agent, and can help with finding state and federal grants.

Katrina Bustillos spoke on behalf of the SCEA. She welcomed the new Associate Superintendent Curtis Clough and said they look forward to keeping lines of communication open. Clough said he is willing to work with the collective bargaining unit and the administrative staff. Bustillos said she received a lot of messages about the new dress code policy for staff, citing not enough guidance. She responded that clarification will come in the beginning of the year during orientation.

Superintendent Audie Brown addressed the board, clarifying the decision last month to hire additional security personnel. Before the meeting there were already two security guards in the school district and the action taken at that time added three additional guards for a total of five security guards.

Brown also updated the board on the Safety Coordinator position, “We are not filling it at this time, the monies are better spent at the guard positions,” he said, noting that he will supervise the guards at this time.

Grants are being sought to offset infrastructure updates but none have been found to cover salaries for personnel.

After the informational presentations the board voted to approve the Asbestos Management Plan and also to rejoin the SWNMCOG. They accepted the parent/student handbook for the coming school year but were not able to accept the athletic handbook. After a lengthy discussion the board decided to table further action and create a committee to clarify items in question, many regarding penalties for breaking school policies.

The next Regular Meeting of the Silver Consolidated School Board happens August 20, 2018.