Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
SAN JON — The San Jon Municipal Schools board of trustees last week discussed proposed changes in the high school and middle-school student handbook — including ones that bar online students from many school activities — for the upcoming school year.
The proposed changes were prompted several months ago when a student taking classes remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic approached superintendent Janet Gladu about the possibility of running for student council president. Gladu had said it was unfair for a student who didn’t participate in in-person classes to hold such an office.
One section of the 37-page handbook contains a new sentence: “Online/virtual students are not permitted to attend or hold elected positions in club meetings, student council, class officers, NHS, bake sales, dances, parties, car washes, etc.”
At least two school board members during their regular meeting July 12 expressed misgivings about a portion of that section and another that stated: “Online/virtual students are not permitted to attend school dances.”
Board President Frank Gibson noted some school dances are open to the San Jon community, and he questioned the wisdom of that change.
“If it’s open, we have to let them attend,” board member Pam Slater agreed.
Gladu said she was open to removing that section from the handbook.
The handbook also states San Jon offers online courses to all students, but they can enter or leave such courses only at the end of semesters “unless extenuating circumstances exist.” It also states: “Online students may not participate in any school club or activity.”
The handbook also includes changes to the prom dress code, including no bare midriffs or plunging necklines for girls.
The board took no action on the proposed handbook changes.
In other business:
• The board approved a bid of $137,741.88 from Roberts Bus Center of Albuquerque for a 2023 IC activity bus, along with a trade-in of the district’s old vehicle. The bid was more than $18,000 lower than the bid for a 2022 Blue Bird bus submitted by Tillery Bus Sales of Moriarty.
Gladu said the district had budgeted $202,000 to buy a new bus to replace its 2008 Blue Bird bus. She anticipated the bus would be delivered by December.
Those were the only bids given to the district from its request for proposals.
Board member Dale Bone, who owns a commercial driver’s license and is part owner of the district’s BRATS transportation service, noted the specifications of each bid were similar and that Roberts also owns another dealership in Amarillo that would make it a closer possible destination for repairs. Bone abstains from transportation votes on the board.
• The board approved a memo from Gladu that all New Mexico school district must offer employees paid sick leave or expanded Family and Medical Leave Act time off due to COVID-19 reasons during the 2022 fiscal year, as required by federal law.
• The board approved a resolution to remove recently retired administrative assistant Stacy Kent and add Heather Pacheco to the Citizens Bank activity account.
• In a routine matter, the board approved a final inventory of the district’s fixed assets for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
• In her superintendent’s report, Gladu said the board likely would decide whether to approve propane bids during its next meeting in August.
• The board with little discussion approved first readings of state policy changes regarding staff ethics and conduct, professional and support staff hiring, credentialing and discipline, suspension, termination and discharge of those employees and reporting child abuse. It also approved second readings of policy revisions regarding open enrollment, special instruction programs, board member compensation, expense authorization or reimbursement and physical examinations of students.