Knapp takes oath of office for TPS board

Jehu "J.D." Knapp was sworn as Tucumcari Public Schools' newest board member at the start of the board's regular meeting last Monday.

Tucumcari Magistrate Judge Noreen Hendrickson administered the oath of office to Knapp, who will represent District 5 after predecessor and board Vice President Bo Wallace resigned in early June. District 5 lies in the southeast part of the school district.

The board during its July meeting chose Knapp to serve the rest of Wallace's term through December.

During the July 17 meeting, assistant superintendent Dave Johnson and board President Heather Gonzales advised Knapp about protocol and agenda structure.

Knapp spoke little but asked about a health-screening survey a parent complained about due to some sexual content during the July meeting. Gonzales replied the survey does contain an opt-out clause.

Because of Wallace's resignation and Knapp's appointment, the board was compelled to hold an election of officers.

Board secretary Jerry Lopez, however, said he was inclined to keep current officers at their posts until January, after the November elections. Most of the board concurred.

With that, Gonzales was nominated as president and Lopez as secretary, and the board approved both unanimously.

Board member Matthew Pacheco said he was willing to serve as Vice President. He was nominated to the post and approved unanimously.

In other business:

- During board comments, several members said parents and players were excited about Tarik Embrack as the new THS football coach.

"There were a lot of people who wanted change, and they got that change," Pacheco said.

Tucumcari recently competed in a 7-on-7 tournament and went 1-3 against more experienced teams.

Lopez agreed with the enthusiasm surrounding Embrack and said the community needs to support the team as it learns his system.

"Let's give him a chance," Lopez said.

Johnson agreed, saying: "He needs a little time to build this program."

- Lopez said he wants to address concerns about a lack of consistency in discipline at the middle school.

Johnson said he wasn't sure whether it was an enforcement issue or differing maturity levels of students between the elementary and high schools. He agreed it "needs a discussion."

- Lopez expressed concerns about vapes and cannabis pens in schools, adding he wished the district had a compliance officer in place. Tucumcari Police Chief Patti Lopez is trying to find a grant to help pay for such an officer.

Johnson agreed the problem with vapes "has exploded" in schools.

- Johnson said he was trying to find a music teacher after Paul Gibson resigned.

Asked by Lopez about the meager participation in TPS music programs, Johnson attributed that to waning interest at many districts, including Tucumcari. Johnson said districts that have strong music programs are because of teachers who boost interest in that field.

- Lopez asked whether superintendent Aaron McKinney, who was absent from the meeting, was following up on the possibility of the district hiring an assistant superintendent who later would be named superintendent after McKinney retires next spring.

Johnson said McKinney was researching that, including downloading a checklist for such hires.

- Lopez said he wanted clarification on whether Silverline Construction was properly licensed to service the district's geothermal system.

Johnson agreed the geothermal system in general has been troublesome for years, prompting Lopez to ask whether it should be replaced in the district's upcoming five-year facilities plan.

- Lopez requested a list of school employees who are paid stipends for extracurricular activities.

- Johnson reported the ballpark redevelopment plan still was on schedule to be completed in October. He said fencing around the site recently was installed.

- Johnson said installation of new climate-control units at the elementary school was scheduled to be finished by late August. He said portable air conditioning units would be placed in areas of the building that month, if needed.

- The board gave permission to budget manager Monica Martinez to make budget adjustments and budget journal entries throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

"When these last-minute increase or carry-over award letters are awarded to the district," she wrote in a memo, "it takes a month for it to be approved and we are wasting valuable time waiting and sometimes not allowing the district to utilize these funds."

- The board approved participation in the state's Local Government Road Fund program to build a sidewalk on the northwest side of the new baseball and softball fields. The cost would be $30,667, with the district's share at $7,667.

The district may ask the City of Tucumcari to extend the sidewalk to the city-owned Little League fields.

- In routine business, the board approved its annual resolution stating it would comply with the state's Open Meetings Act. It approved a resolution stating the district would offer health insurance to eligible part-time employees. It approved a conflict-of-interest form for officers and employees of the district.