CTE complex hits road bumps

RIO RANCHO — Like Crosby, Stills and Nash once sang, “It’s been a long time coming,” and the career-technical education building will apparently be a lot longer before coming, the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education heard at its Jan. 22 meeting.

It’s a long way from opening and functioning as classrooms and workspaces for students interested in careers in welding, carpentry, etc., as well as diesel and other automotive careers — a separate $22 million (expected to approach $50 million) building for that is under the auspices of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM).

“We would have had a lot smaller project without (CNM),” Superintendent Sue Cleveland said, hoping to put a positive spin on the project’s delays.

Facilities Executive Director Patrick Martinez gave the board an update on the renovation at the building, which was formerly a Data Alliance call center. Much of what was removed was auctioned; other furniture and equipment was stored, and equipment has been bought and being bid on.

A “pretty important code issue” arose, so the complex is essentially to be “one building within a building,” Martinez said. “With renovation, you kind of never know what you’re going to get.”

RRPS Chief Operating Officer Mike Baker spoke to the board about the CTE complex, which became a serious topic for the district about five years ago. In that time, what had been an $8 million project has grown to be a $100 million complex, “quite a major change,” Baker noted, and another $32 million envisioned still to be spent on renovation. That extra amount won’t cost taxpayers; he said that “money is in the bank.”

But, although “Right now we’re looking pretty good budget-wise … I think we’re on target,” Baker said rising construction costs have him concerned. He also cautioned there could be some “surprises” and changes along the way.

After noting that, Baker said, in all honesty, his biggest concern was with the “target time” of opening in January 2025, which is still the goal but maybe too optimistic. And, he added, if it was ready to open then, there is “a host of challenges” with starting in the middle of the school year, thus starting classes in the CTE building might work better when the 2025-26 school year starts.

“We’re not quitting on the January 2025 opening,” Baker reiterated.

“Currently, our students are enjoying a curriculum of CTE at the CNM Rio Rancho branch,” Baker said, admitting he had “aggravation and frustration” working on this project every single day for the past few years.

“The plan is to add courses … so the students will still be able to take the (CTE) classes,” Baker added.

Board member Gary Tripp said he was shocked and wished some people had “made better decisions.”

To facilitate traffic movement around that site, on Zenith Court, just a quarter-mile north of NM 528’s intersection with Corrales Road/Obregon Road, the district received a grant of $850,000 form the state’s department of transportation to plan, design and build an access point.

The board unanimously approved the grant’s acceptance.

Local officials have been concerned that egress west out of Zenith Court only allows right-hand turns onto northbound 528. Baker said the school district will partner with the city of Rio Rancho on that project.

In other matters, the board:

• Reorganized: Amanda Galbraith remains the board president, Jeffery Morgan is again the vice president and Jessica Tyler will be its secretary, each for the next two years;
• Unanimously approved a grant agreement in the amount of $104, 444 for a new school bus, received by the district on Jan. 10, although Cleveland said, “We need a whole lot more of these buses,” namely 27 more; and
• Heard from Rio Rancho City Manager Matt Geisel about the March 5 municipal election, in which three council districts have races — the three incumbents are up for re-election in Districts 1, 4 and 6, and there are three general obligation bond issues. Five schools are among the voting locations that day. Board member Gary Tripp said he was hopeful someday the city will build a fine arts building and have a city orchestra.

The board’s next regular meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12.