Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The San Jon Municipal Schools board of trustees approved two new additions last week — a new board member and a cheerleading as a sport in the next school year.
The board during its regular meeting Feb. 14 unanimously approved Brian Watson of Bard as its newest member after no discussion.
He and Alan Angel of San Jon sent letters to the board, expressing their interest for the open position. The board last month solicited letters of interest to fill the seat.
Watson replaces Tommy Evans, who resigned in November after citing conflicts between his job at Tucumcari Public Schools and the San Jon board.
Immediately after the vote, Watson was sworn into office and signed several documents to make it official.
Board President Frank Gibson thanked Angel for applying and shook his hand after the vote.
“I was pretty excited we had two applicants,” Gibson said.
Watson, a farmer and rancher, stated he and his wife moved to the area in May and would “bring to the table an understanding of the way life works when kids grow up on the farm/ranch and in small town.”
“Growing up, the town I knew was small and everyone knew everyone and we supported each other,” he wrote. “It’s one reason we were so happy to find San Jon and be in a small place again.”
If appointed, he vowed “to keep the best interests of the students in focus.”
Angel, a San Jon High School graduate, serves on several area boards, including the Quay County Health Council. He has a degree in business administration and has been educated in psychology, social work and as a prevention specialist.
The board also voted unanimously to add cheerleading as a sport in the 2022-2023 school year.
Superintendent Janet Gladu said a current district employee approached her about coaching a cheer team that would be at home games and be in competitions.
Gladu said she quizzed four students to gauge their interest in cheer, and all four said they would participate if it were available.
She said the coach would be paid the usual $750 stipend, and she estimated buying new uniforms would cost up to $5,000.
Gibson, noting the district receives at least $10,000 in state funding per child, had no problem with the initial expense of setting up a cheerleading squad.
Other school board members also voiced their support for such a program.
“We’ve got to do something to keep the kids here,” board member Dale Bone said.
In other business:
• The board voted to forego the district’s participation in the state extended learning program after learning it would cost at least $55,000 more than the Public Education Department budgeted. Extended learning required 10 more school days and 80 more hours of professional development for teachers.
• The district tentatively scheduled the annual carnival the week of March 14, but board members said they preferred it be held Friday because it would lead to more participation by the community. Gladu said she would check on possibly rescheduling it.