Cobre Schools special meeting to move forward on issues

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a special meeting on August 5, 2026. Board members in attendance included Hector Carrillo, Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, Agelina Hardin and David Wilguess. Dr. Verenice Gutierrez, superintendent, attended.

The board approved the agenda.

Public comment

Samantha Grijalava came to address the board concerning an item on the agenda pertaining the food service in the district and the issuance of an RFP (request for proposal). She would be speaking on behalf of the Cobre Food Service Department, and they had just been made aware of the district being in grave financial problems. They had also been informed the food service department had contributed to it. In the prior school year, they had never been informed of this issue nor been provided a budget amount to stay within.

The food service department now has been made aware of the district wanting to bring in a contract company to manage the department.

In the past school year, the department had gone through a certification audit that six categories had been graded and Cobre scored 5 out of 6 missing only the required 20 minute sit down time which the principals had the discretion of. Grijalva wanted to make the board aware of the results of schools being managed by these management companies. Hatch schools had scored 4 out of 6, Lordsburg 4 out of 6, Truth or Consequences 4 out of 6, Rio Rancho 2 out of 6, Pojoaque 3 out of 6, Silver 4 out of 6, Farmington 4 out of 6 and Alamogordo 4 out of 6. Cobre scored higher not being managed by these companies.

New Mexico Grow Coalition started the Green Chili Awards two years ago and Cobre has been a recipient both years and the first year the Golden Seed Award and then the Golden Blossom Award.

Scratch-cooked items has become the only option and has been required. Cobre has gone above and beyond to have the most from scratch cooked items. She had provided the board with a letter from Michael Chavez, director of student success and wellness bureau, a part of the New Mexico Public Education Department. The letter says bringing in a management program would be detrimental, and she read the complete letter. The letter says the Cobre food service program has been a model of excellence and sustainability.

Grijalva continued with the accomplishments of the food service department and their commitment to produce healthy meals to the students. The team had launched the district's first hydroponic garden as part of the farm-to-table initiative and obtained grants to expand it to all of the schools. They have partnered with Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities to institute a number of programs to promote healthy eating. She had many more accomplishments she presented to the board. The district had worked for these successes from within. Continuing to invest and support this team ensures the district remains a model for others across New Mexico.

Action Items

The board approved the leasing of the golf course to the city of Bayard. Carrillo abstained due to being an employee of Bayard. Gutierrez wanted to provide a little background. She had attended a board meeting in May before starting her position. A lot of discussion had been around the golf course and who needed to maintain it. The interim superintendent had tried to put some things in place to address these concerns. Once she had officially taken the superintendent position she met with Brad Holmgren and spoke to the procurement office. Although some issues had been addressed, many had not. Given budget constraints her largest concern had been the water bill of an average of $3,000 a month but understood some would be for the softball field, concession stands and bathrooms. She then brought in the cost of gas for the lawnmowers and labor of the maintenance department that does not have the skill to maintain a golf course. She figured that the district has been spending $50,000 to $60,000 a year and that could pay a teacher.

She had met with John L. Ojinaga, mayor of Bayard, and a council member. She had also spoken to Senator Gabriel Ramos and Representative Luis Terrazas trying to find financial relief. The conversation came to either Bayard or the County taking over the golf course. The city of Bayard was willing to consider leasing the golf course and it will be on their next agenda. Gutierrez said this had moved faster than she expected.

Gutierrez recommended the board approve moving forward on the negotiations of a lease agreement if the city of Bayard approves it. Other things need to be considered such as the mowers and equipment, but she did not want that to be a barrier.

She wants to continue to support the golf program and had been told by the principal at Cobre High School they had about thirty students interested in the golf program.

Wilguess asked if they had checked for leaks because the water bill had been so high and Guiterrez said yes. He said he had also spoken to Holmgren, and he would be willing to donate all the equipment and would work with the city maintenance crew to train them on the care of the golf course.

Guadiana although he felt the data presented by Gutierrez was anecdotal and sorry they had come to this point but happy for an alternative. He expressed his gratitude to the city but also his reservations. Ojinaga had attended and they thanked the city of Bayard for the consideration.

Gutierrez had come to the board for the approval of issuing out RFPs for food service contractors and custodial contractors. They had a presentation by one food service contractor in a previous meeting. She had brought this forward due to finances. They have also had a large turnover of custodians and have lost four and only been able to fill two of those positions. The district has had applications, but they don't pass the background checks

Gutierrez had talked with Alma Grijalva, food service coordinator, and she has said she has been short staffed and could use some managers. Gutierrez had not been able to find out how they had overspent in food service by $200,000. Although the department needs more staff the district could not afford them. She has taken into consideration the Letter read by Samantha Grijalva and wants to support both departments. She would not want a contractor that would affect the current employees' employment. That would not be the goal, and the contractor would have to guarantee they would not be impacted.

Wilguess had concerns for the employees and did not want to see them impacted. Gutierrez said that would be a requirement in the RFP. Begay had a comment, more and more things have not been presented to the finance committee, and she asked that in the future procedures be followed. She added she had concerns about issuing an RFP and added that the financial contractors she felt had not been upholding their end of the agreement. She wanted to see the cost analysis before they go out for the RFP.

Guitierrez said she could provide that to the board. The new finance director started a few days ago and currently has started working with Vertex to find out what the extra $200,000 had been used for. Begay said she thought some might have to do with the walk in coolers and other equipment repairs. Carrillo said it would not be an excuse, but he had been told the department heads did not know what budget they had. Guiterrez said she has been made aware of that and will be addressing it. The board and Guitierrez discussed possible issues to look at on the budget.

The board tabled these until they receive a cost analysis for both food service and custodial service before approving the issuance of RFPs.

Guadiana said the inference of bypassing the finance committee was a little much. If the finance committee engaged in line-item tracking, looking at past present and projected these items, that might have been caught. They need to implement a tracking mechanism rather than just a very superficial look at things. Gutierrez said they will be working with the new finance director to implement that.

The board approved the formation of a committee to add or rename the stadium. Gutierrez said this had been an item discussed at multiple meetings of the board. The interim superintendent had left her information and depending on the communication some said rename and some said add a name. The district does not have a policy on this she could find. Carrillo said they did have a policy. She added that the majority of these requests had come from outside of the community and the communication she has seen from people in the community they have been against it. The committee needs residents within the district, students and staff members. She had personal reservations having anyone's name on it and suggested something like Copper Field and maybe a wall of fame suggested by an email she received.

Carrillo pointed out it has a sign that says Rominger Field and Wilguess said that had been done because he donated the land. Currently it says Rominger Field and Howie Morales Stadium. It has a lot of history to be considered because it will impact the community. Besides forming the committee, they would have community input. Gutierrez wanted the board to know she knew both people proposed for the field. She knew the lieutenant governor from New Mexico State University and took classes from Abe Armendarez. Although superficial she wanted the board to know to be fully transparent.

The board tabled the IDEA B application. Erica Luckhurst, director of special education, had provided the application to the board. In order for her to submit it to the state the board must approve it and went over it. Begay had questions concerning the salary and benefits for the special education secretary because they would be higher than others. She had looked at it and it read $63,903 and that would almost be double what other secretaries made. Carrillo pointed out it said it had been due June 30, 2026. Luckhurst said she had been trying to have it put on the agenda, but it had not. She had talked to PED (public education department), and they know it has been put on the agenda today. They have been understanding about the situation and all the changes. It also had not gone to the finance committee and Luckhurst said she had not been aware that it needed to, and it had not before. They will also look at other salary schedules listed in the application.

The board tabled both transportation contracts, Montoya Transportation and Porter Transportation. Guiterrez said the contracts run September through August and had been told by the procurement officer it had always been done that way. It should run July through June. The district will always be two months behind. These had not been presented to the finance committee and Gutierrez had been told they never did. She thought it should. They discussed this for some time. Carrillo had questions about the contracts. Questions will be addressed, and it will go to the finance committee in time for the next regular board meeting.

New business

Gutierrez had a PED update. She had spoken to Sarah Cordova in the PED. The district will still be under corrective action. The corrective action plan has certain requirements, but she did not ask Cobre to engage in the corrective actions and knew the district did not have the capacity to do them. One would be monthly reports as opposed to the quarterly. She spoke to Cordova to see if the district would qualify for emergency funding. "The budget for the school year is $18 million and they need 10 percent, $1.8 million. To be considered for emergency funding it would have to be under 5 percent, and the district is at a 3 percent cash balance and the last report had them at 1 percent." Cordova will be putting Cobre on the cabinet agenda as soon as possible.

Gutierrez said she has been trying to figure out ways to come to the $1.8 million cash balance. She has looked everywhere to see how they could save money without having an impact on programs and students. She knew some of the changes she has been making and proposing might not be popular and upsetting people. "I am trying to be fiscally responsible and staying within the law." The board asked her if it had been that low in prior years and she said she didn't know and has been trying to just look forward right now to correct it. She didn't think that they would have the $1.8 million by the end of the school year but would work hard to move that direction. She cited some other reasons that would hold them up. She would have more information at the next meeting and thanked Cordova for all her help and her understanding of the district's challenges.

Gutierrez said she wants to make things better for Cobre and recognizes the deep pride. She has many emails from staff members, and they are committed and it's generational. "The kids deserve a high quality education and a district in solid standing." Gaudiana thanked her for being responsible and raising things to the level she had. It had not been raised to this level before.

Guiterrez said she had been failed by the school system and has made it her mission as an educator to not allow the system to fail the children.

Meeting adjourned.