Mountainair Board of Education Considers HVAC and Security Solutions

During the August 22, 2023 meeting of the Mountainair Board of Education, Superintendent Dawn Apodaca spoke about her efforts to obtain quotes for HVAC systems for multiple locations in the Mountainair Public School system. Specifically, Superintendent Apodaca stated she was looking for solutions to cover the main hallway in the high school, the high school cafeteria kitchen, the elementary school cafeteria, and the service costs of installing systems in these areas.  Western Mechanical, a service provider on the state's "approved provider" list, provided Apodaca with the following approximate quotes.

(Does not include service costs)

The board of education members discussed the extent of costs applicable to each area before determining that initial work should hold off on the $117,000 refit to the high school cafeteria kitchen.

Superintendent Apodaca and the board discussed the security risks at the elementary school. Board member Dustin Kayser recounted how he could gain access to students outside during recess without having to check in with the school administration. Apodaca stated that she wanted an ID checkpoint that visitors would have to pass through before getting past the elementary school gate.  It is likely that the specifics of this security improvement will go through revision before implementation.

Reflecting national concerns regarding family member behavior at sporting events, the board discussed the New Mexico Athletic Association (NMAA) "two strikes rule." Per this rule, if fans act inappropriately at games, as determined by referees, a team's fans could be banned from future games. Board member Kayser said the school system should implement local fan/attendee behavior rules so as to prevent the team from facing a full attendee ban. The board agreed that Mountainair would implement a "one strike" rule before a fan is banned from Mountainair games. The board also agreed that student-athletes, their families, and fans would need to watch the NMAA video regarding the new sportsmanship bylaw.

The board approved a pay rate increase for activity bus drivers. The new rate will be $17.25 per hour. The board also increased the per diem food allowance rate for student meals away from home to $9.00, a $0.50 increase.  Currently, all school cafeteria meals are covered by the school system.

Veronica Barela, Mountainair Special Education Director, raised as an issue the state-level executive order made by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham regarding special education (Executive Order 2023-062 (May 25, 2023)(PDF)). Barela expressed concern that the executive order would move special education decisions to the state government.

Elementary school principal Victoria Baca discussed an initiative she had developed to improve student attendance. Baca explained that the initiative involved using positive reinforcement for school attendance in the form of incentivized food (i.e., special meals from the Mustang Diner were among the examples Baca provided). Baca said that this initiative had shown positive results in improving school attendance.

Superintendent Apodaca reiterated Barela's concerns regarding Executive Order 2023-062 and its impact on special education. Apodaca also discussed a telehealth program for students that would offer physical, mental, and possibly dental health solutions.