Feb. 14 School Board Meeting Recap

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 23, 2023
- 7:15 am

Members of the Los Alamos High School Jazz Band, Ravijit Khalsa, piano; Finley Inglis, bass; Kevin Erives-Bojorquez, drums; Remy Patterson tenor saxophone and Matthew Patchet, alto saxophone, performed at the beginning of the School Board meeting held on Valentine’s Day. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

The LAPS School Board met Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the School Boardroom.

Members of the Los Alamos High School Jazz Band performed at the start of the meeting.

President Antonio Jaurigue read a statement recognizing and celebrating Black History Month.

School Board recognized LAPS School Counselors as part of School Counseling Week:

Kim Pulliam, Aspen Elementary;
Alyssa Romero, Barranca Mesa Elementary;
Victoria Roybal, Chamisa Elementary/Los Alamos Online Learning Academy;
Jennifer Schmierer, Mountain Elementary;
Yvette Byers, Pinon Elementary;
Michelle Bane, Los Alamos Middle School;
Emily Gartz, Los Alamos Middle School;
Cara Michel, Los Alamos Middle School;
Gayle Eustis, Los Alamos High School;
Cristin Haake, Los Alamos High School;
Colby Holland, Los Alamos High School;
Michelle Sullivan, Los Alamos High School;
Cindy Black, Topper Virtual Academy.

Acting Superintendent Jennifer Guy presented Certificates of Appreciation to School Board Members for their service to LAPS as part of School Board Appreciation month.

Robert Cordova, of Cordova CPAs LLC, presented the audit report for the fiscal year ending 2022. He reported that, for the second year in a row, there were no findings in the audit report.

Acting Superintendent Jennifer Guy gave an update on the 2023 legislative session and which bills LAPS is monitoring, including HB130 and HB 194 which address learning time. She also touched on HB 125, which seeks to adjust graduation requirements; HB 102, which would expand health insurance premium coverage for educators; and HB 127, which would raise the minimum wage for instructional assistants. She also mentioned SB 193, which would increase the contributions to the NM Retiree Healthcare Authority, and SB 4, which would provide a free breakfast and lunch for all students. Superintendent Guy said that she is concerned how these bills would impact LAPS and state funding. The 2023 Legislative Session ends at noon March 18.

The School Board approved a leased funds request by Acting Superintendent Guy for an additional $50,000 for the Grow Your Own Professional Degree Program. The program was budgeted for $150,000 but there has been an increase in staff participation in the program.

Business Manager Teresa Gatewood reviewed the annual budget planning process with School Board members. The Finance committee has already begun meeting to discuss the 2023-2024 budget. The schedule would have the budget presentation to the School Board in mid-April.

President Jaurigue discussed the Excellence in Student Achievement Award nominations which are now being accepted. Submit nominations for the New Mexico School Board Association’s 2023 Excellence in Student Achievement Award using the form here. The deadline for nominations is March 3, 2023.