Serving the High Plains
SAN JON — The San Jon Municipal Schools board last week discussed state COVID-19 regulations regarding overnight lodging for extracurricular activities.
Superintendent Janet Gladu said unvaccinated student-athletes are required to each be in separate hotel rooms during overnight stays, per New Mexico Public Education Department guidelines.
If San Jon High School’s volleyball team qualifies for the state tournament, she said that would require 11 rooms — a much bigger-than-expected expense for the district.
San Jon sports a winning record. Its district typically qualifies several teams to the Class 1A tournament, slated for next month in Rio Rancho.
Board President Frank Gibson said such guidelines would present more of a financial hit if the Lady Coyotes qualified for the state tournament.
“Write them back and tell them provide extra funding,” Gibson said.
Another board member said having to secure that many rooms would be “a nightmare” for sponsors or chaperons to monitor.
In other business:
• The board approved an application for the final one-third allotment of $71,783 in federal coronavirus relief money. Gladu said those funds would be used for climate-control system air filters, new drinking fountains, new desks and hiring an additional maintenance worker.
• The board discussed the custom decals for a new activities bus slated to be delivered in January. They decided to have the bus labeled “SJ Coyotes” with the district’s mission statement and coyote paw prints.
• The board listened to presentations by prekindergarten teacher Averi Garlick and kindergarten teacher Kara Garcia about their instructional methods with students.
They also heard a presentation from middle-school teacher Jaree Elliott about a social and emotional learning grant that paid for a survey, which revealed some students scored low in self-confidence.