During today's meeting, the School Board approved changes to the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar. The last day of school will now be May 23, 2025, and we've added family engagement days on May 27-28, 2025 (no school). These changes won't affect school start or end times. You can find more details here.
We also had two informative presentations. Bobbi Newland, our Chief Financial Officer, shared details on next year's budget, including operation-funded enrollment, cost of mandates, employee compensation, audits, and funding updates. The Board approved the preliminary budget, which will now be submitted to PED on May 10. The final version goes before the Board for final approval on June 11. You can see a copy of the presentation here and the budget timeline here.
Hope Trujillo, our Mental Health Coordinator, shared information about the mental health support available in our schools. The overview included information about our 26 school counselors, 22 social workers, our behavior support coordinator, our alcohol and drug counselor, and programs See Something Say Something, Signs of Suicide, Second Step Classes in Elementary and Middle Schools, Daybreak, and Threads.
The Board also held the following celebrations of excellence at Farmington Municipal Schools:
Recognition of NMSBA Scholarship Nominee, Hannah Freeman. Board Vice President Keith Corley proudly acknowledged Hannah Freeman's nomination. Hannah has shown outstanding leadership as President of the National Honor Society and the Key Club. Her academic excellence is evident through her #1 ranking in her senior class, as well as receiving the AP Scholar with Honor Award, along with many other remarkable achievements. The NMSBA awards 21 New Mexico students with higher education scholarships of $1,000.
Recognition of National History Day Students. Presented by Ms. Erica Davis, the Board celebrated the teams from Heights and Mesa View middle schools that have earned the opportunity to attend the National Competition at the University of Maryland from June 9-13, 2024. The Board has approved Mesa View’s trip to Nationals. Read more here.
Recognition of FHS Senators and Business Professionals of America. Presented by Ms. Rochelle Hastings, the Board celebrated the exceptional students who excelled at the state conference while also juggling jobs, sports, dual credit courses, and more.
Recognition of FHS Family Career Community Leaders of America. Presented by Ms. Kolbe Williams and Mr. Travis Torres, the Board celebrated the students who qualified for the national competition. Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is a fantastic organization that empowers students to become leaders and tackle important personal, family, work, and societal issues through education in family and consumer sciences.
Recognition of Piedra Vista High School Girls Powerlifting, State placers. Presented by Mr. Tyrell Curtis, the Board recognized Haleigh Doyle (State Champ, 97lb), Rebecca Laird (4th place, 97lb), Rachel Rodriguez (Runner-Up, 105lb), Landry Bales (3rd Place, 148lb), Danika Wilson (5th place, 148lb), and Aurora Gamboa, (3rd Place, 220lb).
Recognition of CATE Welding - Skills USA State Champions. Presented by Ms. Anna Wilson, the Board celebrated Wyatt Boognl, David Becker, and Rodrigo Lopez for winning gold in Welding Fabrication, which also means they're headed to the Skills USA Nationals. Also, Tucker Stowell won bronze in the Automotive Division, while the FMS CATE Welding Fabrication Team took first place at SkillsUSA in Albuquerque. The Board approved the FHS SkillsUSA trip to the National Competition in Atlanta, GA, in June.
Recognition of the Junior Chef Winner. Presented by Ms. Marie Johnson, the Board celebrated Troy Longoria, a Piedra Vista student who emerged as the victor of the 2nd Annual Jr. Chef Competition. Troy wowed the judges with his tasty creation, “Green Chile Spaghetti.” His culinary skills earned him the title of Top Junior Chef along with a cool $1000 prize. The Board also celebrated Team Knights from Heights Middle School, who earned the honor of having their “Green Chile Marinara with Pasta,” featured in the lunch menus for the upcoming year. Read more here.
Recognition of Farmington High School HOSA Future Health Professionals participants. Presented by Ms. Terri McCartney, the Board celebrated these students for winning their competitions and going to nationals, but also for their amazing work with local entities. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and enhances the delivery of quality health care to all people. The Board also approved FHS HOSA’s trip to the National Competition in Houston, TX.
Recognition of PVHS Chamber Choir and PVC Pipettes State Championship at the NMAA State Choir Competition. Presented by Mr. James Golden, the Board celebrated their journey to winning state. Just before the beginning of the meeting, the PVC Pipettes performed “Wade in the Water,” and the PVHS Chamber Choir performed “Tchaka.”
Recognition of Heights Middle School Choir for NMAA State Championship. Presented by Ms. Siromani Leath, the Board celebrated the Troubadors' win by scoring an impressive 93.67 points at the NMAA/NMMEA State Middle School Competition! The Heights Choir also performed “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.”
Recognition of students receiving the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy on their High School diploma. Presented by Ms. Diane Arrington, Ms. Carmelita Lee, and Mr. Raul Marquez, the Board celebrated 23 students who have earned this great distinction. Bilingualism and biliteracy are valuable assets that contribute to preserving community knowledge and traditions. The 2024 Bilingual Seal Recipients are:
From San Juan College High School: Ebelyn Gonzalez, Guadalupe Gutierrez, Areicy Frias Serrano, and Joel A. Reyes.
From Farmington High School: Helen Cruz, Darlene Fernandez, Ciara Calderon Aldavaz, Mariana Sawyer, Justin Serrano, Juan Ramirez Jr., Natanael Rascon Sinaloa, and Mitchell Edd.
From Piedra Vista High School: Mariana Rueda, Priscila Orona, Daisy Labrador, Diego Delgado, Samantha Dominguez, Cielo Ruiz, Aimee Alcala, Elisa Ramos-Lemus, Cristobal Contreras, Gladys Quezada, and Stepanie Rios.
Recognition of NMSBA award “Excellence in Student Achievement” to Ted Lasiewicz. Presented by Board President Stephanie Thompson and Superintendent Cody Diehl, the celebration is a recognition of Mr. Lasiewicz’s thirteen-year tenure as Operations Director at Farmington Municipal Schools.
The next Board of Education meeting will take place on June 11, 2024.