By Margaret Hopper

Cobre's school board met on July 11, 2016 with all five board members present: Frances Kelly, Frank Gomez, Robert Montoya, Frank Cordova and president Toy Sepulveda. The earlier closed session had started at 6:03, where they discussed student identifiable information and limited personnel issues, but no decisions had been made, according to Sepulveda.

Starting with administrative issues, Superintendent Robert Mendoza reported on the legal notice work for the 2016-2017 board meetings. Discussion developed around procedures for a 24-hour emergency meeting notice.

Rather than vote on that immediately, Sepulveda suggested that they hold off until they had legal counsel, which they would have when they went for training at Taos shortly. Board members agreed and voted to table the plan until they had the additional help.

The board voted to approve two transportation contracts for the coming year. The amount for Porter Transportation is $439,451 and for Montoya, $158,683. The Snell Middle School Handbook for the coming year was approved, as was the 2016-2017 Revised School Calendar.

The 2016-2017 Athletic/Activities Handbook was discussed, Pat Abalos, athletic director, said he wanted to get with the board on certain policies soon. The Title IX work was always an issue, and part time coaches and their fundraising plans needed some attention. Transgenders would also need to be addressed, before this became an issue. They needed more policy on restrooms and locker rooms.

Sepulveda suggested that they consult with Cuddy Law Firm on some of the questions. The administrative retreat was coming up on July 26-27, and they could discuss it further. Mendoza said the school had a letter from Congressman Steve Pearce in which he gave his opinions and insights on the topic.

Three policies, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, and Bereavement Leave, were considered, but with some concern. Mendoza said there was so much yellow- lining on them that it might be better to table them for the next meeting and start them over as first-readings with some new work. Sepulveda and the boarddiscussed how that action was best taken and voted to do it.

Mendoza mentioned another letter which asked the board to set the level of its
membership at New Mexico school board for the coming year. There were different expenses and rates, depending on how much the local school board expected in return.

In the final public input session, Jose Carrillo told of STEM, science, technology, English and math competitions. Lisa Garcia and Karen McCauley, science instructors, had attended, and student Hannah Burnette. They were at WNMU.

Carrillo also gave numbers of summer school students now in Jump Start: 23 at Bayard, 12 at Central, 11 at Hurley and 4 at San Lorenzo. Snell had 32 in its program. In K-3 Plus. San Lorenzo had 18, Central had 65, Bayard had 61 and Hurley had 44.

A board retreat has been planned for August 13, a Saturday, when they agreed they would brainstorm for idea setting and short and long term goals 8-10 a.m., then meet with Cobre administrators after that. Sepulveda said he had been unable to contact Paula Donnelly, who could coordinate that, but Vickie Smith was also qualified and might be considered.

The next board meeting is scheduled for July 25, at the District Office in Bayard. The three tabled policies will be on that agenda. The meeting adjourned at 8:20.