Eduardo Fernandez

The Board meeting included a presentation from the HS Student Council President, who shared updates on increased school spirit and upcoming events. School and student data were reviewed, showing continued growth in ELA, Math, and Science. Principals discussed strategies to maintain and build on these gains. The LESC report highlighted concerns about the high turnover rate of superintendents and a drafted bill regarding the suspension or removal of individual School Board Members. Project reports covered the MS Green House, the large animal facility at the VET clinic, a small grooming facility, transportation portable, and the completed field house. The Board also discussed and approved the award from the Public School Capital Outlay Council and went into an executive session to discuss the Superintendent's Contract.

The primary purpose of this special board meeting was to conduct Superintendent Interviews. The agenda, which was approved, involved several sequential steps. The Board entered into an Executive Session to discuss limited personnel matters, specifically reviewing candidate information, conducting interviews, deliberating the selection of a Superintendent including contract terms, and engaging in contract negotiations. Following the executive session, the Board re-entered the open meeting, took a lunch recess, and returned to continue discussions. A significant action item involved the naming of a Superintendent, where Dr. Fred Montalvo was recommended and approved for the position, with his contract commencing on July 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

The meeting agenda included the Reorganization of the Board, followed by the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered the approval of the agenda, minutes from previous meetings held on December 10, 2025, and January 7, 2026, December 2025 bills, and various budget adjustments and cash transfers related to maintenance and program funding. The Superintendent provided reports on the Staff Breakfast, Professional Development, and 40th Day Membership Data. New Business items focused on the consideration and approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Sale of School Bonds and subsequent related submissions to the New Mexico Finance Authority. Further items included the consideration of donations from NMSU and Dollar General, the purchase of a 2026 Ford F350 Crew Cab, approval of the HVHS Roof Repair Project, and acceptance of the FY26 Facilities Master Plan Assistance Award. The final substantive item was the evaluation of the School Board self-evaluation.

The meeting commenced with the reorganization of the Board, resulting in the election of Richard Marquez as Board President, Rey Gonzalez as Vice President, and Chris Montez re-elected as Secretary. The Consent Agenda was approved, which included various budget adjustments and permanent cash transfers concerning maintenance, summer reading, and carryover funds. The Superintendent's Report noted a successful staff breakfast, professional development sessions, and reported the 40th-day student enrollment at 1088. Key New Business items approved included a Resolution Authorizing Sale of School Bonds and related procedures with the New Mexico Finance Authority, approval of two separate financial assistance applications to the New Mexico Finance Authority, acceptance of a $2,000 donation from NMSU and a $5,000 donation from Dollar General, approval for the purchase of a 2026 Ford F350 Crew Cab, approval for the HVHS Roof Repair Project, and acceptance of the FY26 Facilities Master Plan Assistance Award. The board also scheduled a self-evaluation for a future meeting.

The meeting included approval of the agenda, with item 5C moved to position 5B. The board approved various financial items, including February 2026 Bills and Budget Adjustments/Requests/Transfers/Cash Requests, while explicitly excluding the approval of the February 2026 meeting minutes per instruction. The Superintendent reported on NMSBA Leadership Development Program awards received by several members, an Educators Rising presentation, the 'Heart of the Bear Award' recipient from Finance, and the completion of 'Inclusive Practices' training by SPED staff. The Superintendent also provided an update on his initial 'listening tour.' During unfinished business, the Board agreed on reassignments for the Audit Committee, DACC, Finance, and Maintenance & Facilities committees. New business involved approving out-of-state student travel for HS ED Rising Students to Portland, Oregon, approving the Audit, approving an E-Rate Category I Internet Services award and bandwidth upgrade to 5GB, and approving the purchase of Access Control and Security Cameras for various facilities. A proposal to transition to a Four-Day School Week Schedule starting in the 2026-2027 School Year was discussed but did not receive a motion, resulting in no action. The Board entered Executive Session to discuss terms of the Superintendent's short-term contract and returned to open session without taking public action on that matter.