Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari Public Schools board last week approved the first reading of a new district policy that would bar elementary-school and middle-school students from athletic or fine-arts events without the accompaniment of a parent or guardian.
The board also made a minor change to the district’s bullying and harassment policy it hopes will address serial bullies. Both actions during the board’s Sept. 17 meeting came out of a previous week’s work session to discuss those issues.
Assistant superintendent Dave Johnson said he borrowed the “Attendance at Extra-curricular Activities” language from another policy imposed by a Texas school district a fight occurred at a game there that caused injuries. Superintendent Aaron McKinney did not attend the TPS board meeting because he was attending a conference in Albuquerque, Johnson said.
The proposed TPS policy states: “All elementary and middle-school aged children must by accompanied by an adult or guardian at any district sponsored event such as athletics and fine arts events. The adult and guardian must remain at the event with the children. Elementary and middle-school aged children may not be dropped off at events without an adult. Elementary and middle school children that are participating in the activity are exempt.”
The policy takes effect once the board approves a second reading likely at its next regular meeting in November. Johnson said board members can propose and enact minor changes to the wording at that time.
Board members and administrators at the meeting voiced no opposition to the proposed policy, which was prompted by fights or bullying by middle-school students at football or basketball games.
Middle-school principal Lendall Borden said he supported it.
“It’s not fair for the high-school staff to have to deal with this,” he said of the football-game incidents. “I think it would make the games a much safer place.”
Board member Robert Lucero suggested informing parents about the policy through the district’s Facebook page, website or a mailed letter.
High school principal Nicole Bright-Lesly said during Tucumcari High School’s recent football game against Hope Christian, she dealt with an irate parent after explaining students should make only one trip to the concession stand or restroom per quarter.
As for the harassment and bullying policy, the board added several words to the definitions that include plural victims of such actions. The wording was added to address any possible problems with serial bullies or harassers — an individual who targets multiple people.
In other business at the meeting:
— During school officials’ reports, Borden said the middle school would hold an honor-roll ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27. He also said the school may launch a beginning-band program during the 2023-2024 school year. The middle school has started a TMS Voice program on YouTube and uploaded a podcast on Spotify.
Elementary principal Tonya Hodges said the school’s carnival will be the evening of Oct. 27.
Special-education director Deanne McKinney said several teachers have been trained on de-escalation tactics, with the hope to train all staff members later.
— Johnson said installation of a new climate-control unit for the elementary school has been delayed again due to supply issues. He now hopes to have it installed in November or December, though he noted it originally was scheduled for March.
— During public comments, Scott Lucero spoke about three incidents involving his daughter with an unidentified staff member. He said the person pulled and shook her arm, struck her with a rolled-up newspaper and inadvertently left her for 45 minutes in a bathroom during an active-shooter drill. He said at least two of the incidents were confirmed by surveillance video. He said he considered filing a grievance, and the incidents “have tarnished everything.”
