Makofske, McDermott named to RRPS Hall of Honor

RIO RANCHO – Members of the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the addition of two new members to the district’s prestigious Hall of Honor at the Oct. 23 meeting.

The “hall” — actually a wall in the administration building where plaques of Hall of Honor members are displayed — will gain its first teacher and its first former professional baseball player, selected from among 18 candidates submitted to the 13-person Hall of Honor committee, charged with selecting honorees.

Hal Makofske, who preceded the district as a teacher at Rio Rancho Elementary when it was part of Albuquerque Public Schools and is still with RRPS as a math teacher at Lincoln Middle School, and Terry McDermott, who played for minor league baseball teams in Albuquerque in 1971 and from 1973-76 and appeared in nine games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1972.

Although Makofske’s selection was mostly based on his teaching proficiency, he also went “above and beyond,” noted committee chair Ron Eppes, who said two of his children benefitted from Makofske’s teaching.

McDermott’s selection had nothing to do with his diamond skills, rather for his being a “phenomenal relationship builder,” said Eppes, as well as someone who “always had great ideas.” McDermott also played a role as a co-chairman of previous RRPS bond committees.

“Both are so deserving,” Superintendent Sue Cleveland said, and “Hal was with us from the very beginning (1994).”

In other board matters that evening, the board:

• Lauded Cleveland and Rio Rancho high schools for recent performances at the New Mexico Activities Association’s One Act competition; RRHS placed first and CHS was second, with RRHS also earning numerous other awards for backstage and technical categories;
• Heard a presentation on the Nov. 7 $80 million general obligation bond issue coming before voters; some of the proceeds will go toward construction of an automotive building for CNM and area high school students to learn about diesel mechanics, electric vehicles, etc., at the district’s CTE campus site;
• Listened to a lengthy report on student immunizations and the importance of keeping all such records on hand and available to the state Department of Health;
• Approved a three-year lease agreement with AMREP for office space at its facility for Student Services Nutrition program, as the RRPS administration building “is at capacity,” Cleveland said;
• OK’d the donation from the local law firm of Spangler, Pacheco and Werbelow of some office equipment, such as desks, file cabinets and a microwave; and
• Heard second readings and approved changes for policies 610 (Inventories), 611 (Payment Procedures) and 612 (Audits/Financial Monitoring).

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13.