Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari Public Schools’ new community liaison had been on the job for only two weeks, but he already received praise from principals and the superintendent.
Charles Newman was hired to the position of community engagement specialist, aka community liaison, shortly after superintendent Carl Marano announced its creation during the board’s October meeting. Marano said he saw the position as a way to address students who are chronically absent from school.
During the board’s Nov. 18 meeting, elementary school principal Deanne McKinney said 25 families in the district had been contacted about their students’ attendance problems during Newman’s two weeks on the job.
McKinney said described Newman as “a benefit” to the school.
High school principal Nicole Bright-Lesly agreed, saying the new position was “one of the best things I’ve seen happen.”
Marano also said staff had told him Newman was “a big benefit” to the district.
“It’s not to be punitive to our families,” Marano said of Newman’s role. “It’s to be a support system.”
In other business:
— The board went into a closed executive session for about 20 minutes to discuss real-estate or water-rights matters.
After the meeting, Marano confirmed the board discussed the district’s forthcoming five-year facilities plan, which includes the possibility of tearing down Tucumcari Middle School and moving students to the elementary or high school buildings.
Marano said he anticipates the five-year facilities plan would be finished by spring. The state granted the district a one-year delay in finalizing the plan until it could ascertain whether the elementary school, which for years has seen structural problems due to unstable soil, would be suitable.
— McKinney said students in third through fifth grades were seeing growth in proficiency in math and reading. She said testing in December and January should reveal how much growth from the beginning of the school year.
— Bright-Lesly reported that 58 THS students are on track to graduate in 2025.
— Athletic director Wayne Ferguson said The Bank of Tucumcari would send a crew on Dec. 3 to install new scoreboards at Rattler Gymnasium and Rattler Stadium.
The Bank of Logan, which like The Bank of Tucumcari is a division of The Bank of Clovis, also is donating new scoreboards to gyms at Logan Municipal Schools.
— Veronica Hernandez, the district’s administrative aide and procurement officer, said a replacement for a collapsed natural gas line soon would be reinstalled at the middle school. In the interim during cold days, the school is using heaters once used by the high school.
Hernandez also said roof replacement continues on the high school.
— The board heard a presentation from Sam Colombo, campaign manager for the the 24/7 Tobacco Free Schools. She urged the district to adopt a comprehensive policy, though she noted its current policy “is pretty close” to what her organization is recommending.
Marano said he would take a look at the district’s policy on tobacco, make “a few tweaks” and present it to the board for adoption during its December meeting.
“I don’t think it will be a big adjustment for us,” Marano said.
— During its consent agenda, the board approved these donations to the elementary school’s marimba band: $100 from Andrew and Missleaddy Kesten, $100 from Steve and Vance Kesten, $100 from Dave Mardo, $100 from Drs. Richard and Jill Kesten, $100 from Matthew Tomatz, $50 form Sowah Mensah, $50 from Dustin Siefert, $483.99 from the Rattler Class of 1969 Committee, $100 from Cecil Johnson and $600 from Altrusa International of Tucumcari.
These donations went to the middle school’s book fair and family night: $500 from Altrusa, $250 from Citizens Bank, $100 from McDonald’s and $154.72 from Playon Sports to the student assistance fund.
These donations from the Rattler Class of 1969 Committee also went to these programs: $250 to THS art, $1,000 to THS robotics, $250 to TES student community, $250 to TMS art and $482.50 to TMS media class.