Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari Public Schools board last week during a special meeting approved a 2023-2024 budget that includes about a $2 million reduction in its cash balance, primarily so the district can finish its ongoing ballpark redevelopment project.
The budget projects a beginning cash balance of nearly $3.67 million that will be reduced to about $1.2 million by the end of the fiscal year.
Much of the cash will be used to complete renovations of the high school baseball and softball fields, including the construction of dressing rooms and a concession stand. The budget document includes about $1.2 million for construction services.
The project’s cost ballooned from the initial estimated $3 million — paid with a 2019 voter-approved bond issue — to about $4.2 million due to inflation.
Superintendent Aaron McKinney cautioned the budget has not been approved by the Public Education Department, but he said he could justify the spending to state officials.
McKinney noted the district’s cash carryover has been high in the past seven years, making it more liable for a clawback of funds if the state runs into financial difficulties.
McKinney said the City of Tucumcari donating $400,000 in lodgers tax executive funds “was a huge help” for the project. That allocation was used to pay for new ballpark lighting, which McKinney said would be erected by mid-June.
After the meeting, McKinney said “I feel comfortable” the PED would approve the budget. He said PED Cabinet Secretary Arsenio Romero, a former superintendent from Los Lunas and Deming schools, “knows how budgets work.”
The 2023-2024 operational budget totaled $13.26 million, an anticipated increase of more than $320,000.
The board held the special meeting on May 30 so the preliminary budget could be submitted to the state by the June 1 deadline. All board members except Robert Lucero were present.
In other business:
— The board approved a salary schedule for the 2023-2024 school year that reflects a 6% state-mandated raise for teachers and staff, excluding the superintendent.
Board member Jerry Lopez abstained from the vote.
Lopez asked again about the possibility of adding a second assistant superintendent who would become superintendent after McKinney retires next year. McKinney responded that salary can be added to the schedule, as “the money probably is there.” The assistant superintendent is paid $137,800, according to district documents.
Base salaries are $50,000, $60,000 and $70,000 for Level I, II and III teachers respectively, with additional pay for experience. Principals are paid from $103,800 to $118,720.
Nurses are paid from $40,00 to up to $75,031, depending on education level and experience. Office personnel pay ranges from $20,451 to just over $39,000. Custodian pay raises from $28,198 to $39,762 depending on experience. Instructional assistant pay ranges from $25,000 to $31,250.
Maintenance workers are paid from $35,000 to $45,169, and their supervisors are paid from $43,000 to $50,869.
— The board approved a permanent cash transfer of nearly $4,900 of an expense of COVID-19 funds that weren’t initially submitted for reimbursement.
Business manager Monica Martinez, admitting the mistake, said “I can’t tell you what happened exactly” except there was a change in providers.
“That’s a pretty small error with a big budget,” McKinney said.
Lopez told Martinez not to be too hard on herself, adding: “You’re doing a good job.”