Three new board members take oath of office

Three new board members took the oath of office and were seated during the Tucumcari Public Schools board of education's regular meeting Jan. 20.

Magistrate Judge Timothy O'Quinn administered the oath of office for Jerry Lopez, Matthew Pacheco and Bo Wallace at the meeting's start. Lopez defeated incumbent Fernando Ureste of District 2 in the Nov. 6 election. Pacheco and Wallace were unopposed for their seats in Districts 1 and 5, respectively, after board members Carlos Romero and Corinne Hayes declined to run again.

Another board member, Heather Gonzales in District 4, was unopposed for re-election.

Because a majority of the board turned over to newcomers, superintendent Aaron McKinney, assistant superintendent Dave Johnson and finance director Leola Patterson spent much of the meeting guiding them through procedure or explaining aspects of the agenda.

"It will take a little time to get used to it," McKinney told the new board members.

Lopez wasted little time getting involved. He recommended the district work with the city so repairs to 11th Street water-storage tanks near Tucumcari Elementary School could be scheduled during spring break or the summer months to lessen safety concerns for staff and students.

McKinney said in a previous board meeting leaks from one tank may have damaged the school's parking lot, but he said in last week's meeting water appeared to be draining in an area causing minimal problems.

Responding to another Lopez question, McKinney said the city's deed to the baseball and softball fields had been found and a survey of the site is imminent. Voters in the school district are voting by mail in a Feb. 18 election on a proposed $3 million bond issue to redevelop the ball diamonds.

Lopez also asked whether he and other new board members could tour district facilities. McKinney replied: "Call me, and I'll take you through."

Patterson also offered to meet with new board members in a work session to discuss details about financial reports.

The board elected officers and appointed members to committees:

• New board president Leif Gray was elected by a 4-1 margin, with Wallace the only dissenting vote. Gonzales also was nominated to the post, but Gray was elected on the first ballot.

• Vice president: Gonzales.

• Secretary: Wallace.

• Audit Committee: Gray and Lopez.

• Budget Committee: Pacheco and Wallace.

• Calendar Committee: Gonzales and Gray.

• Textbook Committee: Pacheco.

In other business:

• The board discussed a proposal from Mesalands Community College for it to acquire district land off 11th Street so it could build student dormitory buildings there. New board members agreed to meet with college officials to discuss the plan during a work session at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, before the next regular board meeting.

Lopez acknowledged the dormitory plan "is a great idea that will benefit the community," but members should deed the land with the stipulation its ownership would revert to the district if it weren't developed within a certain time.

Lopez also asked whether an alternative bonfire site has been chosen for the high school's annual football Homecoming. McKinney said the college owns land near the vacant ALCO building and its wind turbine that may prove suitable.

Lopez also suggested the college award gym memberships to students and district employees in exchange for the land.

• As part of the consent agenda, board members approved donations of $100 from Clare Speer and $25 from Matthew and Lori Tomatz so the Tucumcari Elementary Nyoka Marimba Band can print programs, purchase hoodies for musicians and cover travel expenses for an honor concert in Albuquerque.

• The board approved a final reading of a policy advisory so the district can conform to the state's Student Diabetes Management Act. The policy mandates training for personnel regarding diabetic students.

• The board approved a resolution it would adhere to state open-meetings laws for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.