All-State students honored at packed RRPS Board meeting

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Public Schools board meeting room was as packed as it’s ever been on Monday night as the Rio Rancho Public Schools District Board of Education met for some special recognitions, a review of the most recent financial audit, and nearly a dozen readings and motions.

Board President Amanda Galbraith and Superintendent Dr. V. Sue Cleveland were in attendance, as were board members Jeffrey Morgan, Jessica Tyler, Gary Tripp and Beth Miller.

The meeting started on a very high note as the RRPS All-State students opened with a rendition of the national anthem that brought the house down. (And yes, they hit that infamous high note on the word “free”.)

Directors Jadira Flamm, Rebecca Kendall, Miguel Jaramillo and Jolyn Aleman accompanied the roughly one-dozen singers.

Those weren’t the only fine arts students there, however. More than 100 kids packed the house to be recognized by the Board. RRPS Executive Director of Fine Arts Dr. Kurt Schmidt read the names of all students selected for All-State performance — an annual event taking place over two weekends, which brings together all the state’s top high school performers — as well as an overview of the event itself.

“The success of these students is, of course, due to their talent, work ethic and dedication,” said Schmidt. “But it’s also a testament to the support our music programs receive from the district leadership and the Board of Education, for which we remain extremely grateful.”

The students in attendance lined up at the front of the room and raised their hands as their names were read. Friends and family gathered around, cameras at the ready.

“It’s always a great feeling because these kids put in so much work,” Matt Casarez, director of the state champion RRHS marching band told the Observer after the meeting. “They only get, basically, three practices together and they have to put on this performance. So, this is basically these kids practicing and putting in the work on their own.”

The All-State Performances took place at Popejoy Hall at University of New Mexico over the course of two weekends in January, and Casarez said it was a big success.

“It was a huge moment for them, and they always do a great job.”

Reports

The board heard two reports at the meeting.

The first was from Juan Garcia, audit manager for Beasley, Mitchell & Co., who presented the findings of the most recent district financial audit.

The auditors issued two findings, both unmodified.

“We hold no reservation and believe the financial statements are presented fairly in all material,” Garcia said as he read the first opinion.

“Federal awards are presented fairly in relation to the financial statements as a whole,” he read as he presented the second opinion, before adding, “Congratulations.”

The second report was from teachers’ union president and educator, Billie Helean, who presented the board with the results of the recent Joy of Reading event at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School, which gave out 30,000 new books, for free, to the Rio Rancho community.

“It was a really great opportunity for educators,” said Helean. “There is no way I can adequately thank or facilities staff, especially our warehouse staff.”

After a short video of the event, Helean took a few questions and comments from the board, and the meeting moved to public comment.

Public comments

Despite the crowded meeting room, nobody signed up for in-person public comment.

Galbraith said there were 11 online comments, but 10 of them concerned Puesta del Sol and came in before the issue of closing that school was resolved. The final comment was from a citizen curious about the district’s response to the cold weather.

Motions

There were six motions voted on by the board, and all of them passed unanimously (5-0).

• Motion to approve the audit recommendations and Beasley, Mitchell & Co. as the auditor for the district.

• Motion concerning changes to CTE partnership with CNM. The motion would amend the contract between RRPS and CNM, allowing CNM to move the CTE diesel education program to Albuquerque. This motion also passed unanimously, but board member Gary Tripp expressed his disappointment in CNM’s actions in this case.

• Motion to approve vendors for gym floor repair and maintenance.

• Motion to approve vendors for HVAC filters and maintenance.

• Motion to approve fire protection services updates.

• Motion to approve special services staffing changes.

First readings

The board also heard five first readings. Four were read by RRPS executive director of human resources Mike Chavez, and the fifth by executive director of student services Sherri Carver.

The board makes recommendations during first readings, but they do not vote on them, nor do they enact policy at this stage of the process. As a result, no vote was taken.

• Proposed changes to Board Policy 707: Labor Management Relations

• Proposed changes to Board Policy 709: Staff Personal Security and Safety

• Proposed changes to Board Policy 715: Reporting Acts of Violence and Vandalism (Repeal)

• Proposed changes to Board Policy 750: COVID-19 Pandemic

• Proposed changes to Board Policy 1027: Drug-Free Schools- Students

The next RRPS School Board meeting is 5:30 p.m. Feb. 10.