Quay County Sun - Serving the High Plains

An extension of Tucumcari Public Schools superintendent Aaron McKinney’s contract was on the agenda, but school board members during their May 20 meeting instead delayed action on it.

Board members held a 20-minute executive session to discuss McKinney’s evaluation and contract, including several minutes with him behind closed doors. McKinney has been the district’s superintendent for 13 years.

Board President Carlos Romero announced after his colleagues emerged that there would be no action on the contact, and it would be “tabled for further discussion.” Board members declined to discuss the matter further in open session.

McKinney’s current contract runs through June 30, 2021, and it was anticipated the board would have offered him a one-year extension. McKinney’s annual salary is $111,384.

In other business, the board:

• Approved an IDEA-B application for a $386,000 grant to help pay for teacher and teacher assistant salaries, plus professional development, supplies and equipment, for teaching students with disabilities.

— Heard from McKinney about the proposed redevelopment of the baseball and softball complex. He said architects from Greer Stafford firm in Albuquerque were inspecting the site, and he soon would set up a meeting with Tucumcari city officials about a possible partnership on the project. More details about the project likely will be known in June, with the district issuing bonds for it in November.

• Gave administration service pins district employees. Five-year pins were given to Patrick Benavidez, Lester Byrd, Veronica Hernandez and Christy Jones. Twenty-five-year pins were awarded to McKinney and Brenda McDonald.

• Gave plaques to Tucumcari students who were part of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America state competition. Honored in the middle school’s Junior Division were Lacey Galvan, Sariah Mardo, Alexandra Rosas, Brittany Moya, Taylor Hinders, Aleeja Salvador, Blanca Gallegos, Julian Pena, Kaitlyn Benavidez, Estella Cordova and Haisley Huffman. Honored in the high school’s Junior Division was Elena Gutierrez. Honored in the high school’s Senior Division were Stephen Salas, Martin Reyes, Gracie Otero, Anna Stimpson, Aleea Talvitie, Destiny Vigil, Kelli Lamm and Natalie Hayes.

• Approved in the consent agenda a $500 donation from the Southwest Quay Soil and Water Conservation District to Tucumcari FFA to be used for national judging trip expenses, a $250 donation from the First National Bank for decorations at the Straight-A Banquet, and a $100 donation from Dr. Gary Balzano to be used for the Tucumcari FCCLA’s national competition in Anaheim, California.