MCC likely to enter horse partnership

Mesalands Community College likely will enter into a partnership with Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico to foster wild horses for adoption and use them to help bolster the college's farrier and animal science programs.

Acting college president Natalie Gillard talked about the imminent pact during a regular board of trustees meeting Sept. 15. She said Mesalands had been talking about fostering wild horses for years and indicated she would present a finalized agreement to the board as soon as its October meeting.

Gillard said the U.S. government would pay the college about $30,000 to foster and give basic care to the horses that would be available for adoption. Carson National Forest also would provide pens, gates and other infrastructure to house the animals.

She said Paul Leonard, farrier science faculty member, and Manny Encinias, animal sciences instructor, would use the horses to give Mesalands students hands-on training and make the animals more attractive for adoption.

Gillard said James Duran, supervisor of Carson National Forest, became enthusiastic about Mesalands' proposal after meeting with one of its faculty members.

"He's committed to making this happen," she said.

Rick Rymerson, district manager for the Jicarilla Ranger District at the national forest, stated in an email Thursday the agreement would allow Mesalands students to work with four wild horses from the district.

Board members expressed their support for the idea, including rural Tucumcari rancher Tom Sidwell, who said wild horses tend to overgraze land if their numbers grow too large.

Carson National Forest's website states a 2004 environmental assessment determined the territory could support 50 to 105 horses, depending on environmental conditions. The current population is estimated at 338.

In other business:

• The board approved the purchase of a 2019 model, 15-passenger Chevrolet van for $32,297 from Melloy Chevrolet of Los Lunas.

Amanda Hammer, vice president of administrative affairs, said the van was ordered in June 2019 but labor strikes and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its delivery. She said the van comes with a towing package and was priced at a discounted, state-contract rate. The college plans to use the van for student activities and its athletic teams. In its vehicle fleet, Mesalands has only two cars that each seat four and one pickup truck that seats seven.

Board members voiced their desire to continue with the purchase, though it was not required. Liz Estrada said if the board declined it, it would only delay an inevitable purchase later. Board Chairman Jim Streetman expressed reluctance to delay the purchase, noting the van's "good price." Jimmy Estrada agreed, saying: "If we wait, it might cost more."

• Hammer said in her monthly finance report said the college's revenue was down "quite a bit," but so were expenses. "We're keeping our costs where they need to be," she said. Mesalands officials had anticipated a substantial drop in revenue because of the pandemic.

• Streetman said he talked to Steve McCleery, retired president of New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, about Mesalands' search for a new president. McCleery said the college "was doing everything right" with the search and expressed his willingness to help with that effort, Streetman said. Mesalands fired its president, John Groesbeck, in April for undisclosed reasons.

• The board approved an annual review and reaffirmation of board policies. Gillard said the only changes to the policies were the dates.

• The board held a 15-minute closed session to discuss litigation and real estate. No action was taken when open session resumed.