Representatives from Dekker, Perich, Sabatini and the Jaynes Corporation presented an update on the Piñon construction project. Courtesy/LAPS

Assistant Superintendent Carter Payne gave an overview of the policy review process. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

The LAPS School Board met last week on Tuesday, in the School Boardroom and via Zoom. Here is a recap:

The meeting opened with recognition of Chamisa Elementary School teacher Carolyn Torres who is one of twelve winners of the 2023 Excellence in STEM Awards, also known as the STEMYs. Recent Los Alamos High School graduate Fayrouz Mourad was recognized as the recipient of a 2023 New Mexico School Boards Association $1,000 scholarship. She has served as a student liaison to the School Board for the past two years.

Representatives from Dekker, Perich, Sabatini presented updates on the Chamisa and Piñon construction projects. It was noted that construction costs have increased across the state and are impacting the construction plans for new schools. At the start of the design and planning stage for the two White Rock schools, the construction cost per square foot was estimated at almost $350. The current costs have almost doubled. Superintendent Jennifer Guy reported to the School Board that she had met with state officials to request a fee waiver of the projected costs above the district’s 80% share. This request was denied, but the state did offer an advance in the amount of $14,800,000 which will enable construction to begin on Pinon Elementary.

School board members approved the final construction plans for Chamisa Elementary and Piñon Elementary, and accepted the state advance for Piñon Elementary. Construction at Piñon Elementary is slated to begin in mid-July.

The School Board also reviewed a proposed meeting schedule for 2023-2024 school board meetings. There were a few suggested adjustments to align with the new district calendar. The board plans to make a final decision at the next meeting.

Board members next approved a lease agreement and resolution for Sun State Towers to erect a cell phone tower on the vacant basketball court at the Pajarito Complex on Arizona contingent upon approval of the New Mexico State Board of Finance and feedback from community members living near the site. The tower would provide better cell phone service for a lot of cell phone users, including the Barranca and North Mesa areas. Residents near the proposed site for the tower may submit comments here.

The School Board next approved the Title III English Language acquisition in the amount of $14,126.30 for the upcoming school year. These funds provide academic support and instructional materials for English language learners enrolled in the district.

Members also approved the Open Meetings Act Notice Resolution for 2023-2024 presented by Superintendent Guy.

Next, Assistant Superintendent Carter Payne gave an overview of the policy review process. The LAPS School Board currently has 238 board policies and 133 regulations. He presented policy 2110 Superintendent of Schools and policy 2113 Evaluation of Superintendent’s Performance for a first review by the School Board.

“This is a great start to reviewing these policies at the start of strategic planning‚” Board President Antonio Jaurigue said.

The School Board then approved the School Board meeting schedule for the 2023-2024 school year. A few notable changes include only one meeting in November, December and March. Each school site will host a School Board meeting while all other meetings will be held in the School Boardroom. The meetings will continue to be live streamed as well.