Logan school board approves facilities plan

The Logan Municipal Schools board last week approved a five-year facilities master plan that details about $2.03 million in priorities, including security improvements.

Paul Aguilar of Consolidated School Support Services went over the 61-page plan with the board during its Feb. 12 meeting. It was written after input from teachers, district staff and community members.

The approved plan, which serves as a guide for the school district to obtain capital outlay and other funding through 2029, was sent to the New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority for final review.

The plan includes these projects, listed by priority:

— Security upgrades that include reconfiguring the main entrance, installing a window to the principal’s office, improving the line of sight with the receptionist, installing cameras and adding electronic access controls.

— Construction of a passageway to allow student and staff moment from the family and consumer sciences and vocational-agriculture classrooms within the building envelope.

— Pave the area used for handicapped parking at the football field to include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkways.

— Install security fencing around the elementary and pre-kindergarten playgrounds, including the entrance doors.

— Replace or repair the football field’s playing surface.

— Replace perimeter security fencing at the football field.

— Remove, repair and replace sidewalks.

— Renovate restrooms to ensure ADA compliance.

— Replace or repair playing surfaces for the baseball and softball fields (those are owned by the Village of Logan).

— Replace internal doors as needed and replace door locks.

— Construct a Career Technical Classroom with technology updates that include 3D printers.

— Renovate the family and consumer sciences classroom to meet current instructional needs and upgrade its infrastructure.

— Renovate and update the science classroom.

— Replace visitors bleachers at the football field.

— Regrade and improve site drainage throughout the district.

— Remodel a district-owned house for teacher’s use.

— Repair and renovate bleachers and install ADA upgrades and hand rails at the main gymnasium.

— Repair stucco on the main buildings.

— Replace carpet throughout the school.

The most expensive item is the football field surface, estimated $489,275. However, Aguilar said district officials told him the cost likely would be considerably less.

Aguilar said the overall plan is “achievable” because of the district’s revenue and its well-maintained facilities.

“You have the money to do that,” he said. “That’s the nice thing.”

He said the population in the school district and county rose during the COVID-19 pandemic because of historic families coming back home. Aguilar said he anticipates the district’s population will stabilize in the coming years, though the county’s population will fall through 2040 — typical of rural New Mexico.

He said the number of child-bearing people in Logan and the county “is not very large,” and both are seeing birth dates lower than New Mexico and the U.S.

Aguilar said he anticipates stable enrollment at Logan, with perhaps a small drop in the future. He said the Ute Lake Online Learning Center probably would be a hedge for future enrollment and funding.

Logan saw a jump in the poverty rate during the pandemic, while the county’s rate was flat. He said the district’s median household income began rising in recent year, which he partly attributed to state-mandated raises for teachers and school staff.

He said the Logan district’s graduation rate was below average in 2017, then began rising rapidly. It now is 97%, well above the state average.

Aguilar said the district’s assessed valuation saw modest growth in non-residential property, with residential values up slightly. He anticipated tax rates would be stable.

In other business:

— Superintendent Dennis Roch presented results of a survey of students from third through 12th grade on social-emotional learning.

He said elementary students scored above the state average in school climate, safety, self-management, achievement focus, avoidance of fights, but scored in a mediocre to low range in sense of belonging, calmness, help from bullying, peer-to-peer disrespect and understanding the student as a person.

In the high school, students scored lower than desired in sense of belonging and self-efficacy, disrespect from others, behavior of others disrupting learning and confidence they will retain their learning.

Roch said those lower-than-expected scores are being discussed and addressed by teachers and administrators.

— The board watched a 15-minute presentation by the Logan FFA parliamentary procedure team, which won the state competition last month. It will compete at the FFA national convention this fall.