Board conditionally approves donation of Taos High armed‑services case to Taos County museum

The Taos Municipal Schools board conditionally approved donating a Taos High School armed‑services display case, currently embedded in a wall at Enos Garcia Elementary, to Taos County for the new Taos Plaza museum, with the county required to pay removal and wall‑repair costs.

Board discussion noted the case commemorates Taos High students who served in wartime and that community members had requested it be relocated to a more publicly visible setting. Superintendent Dr. Antonio Layton said the case is built into a wall and that removal would require contractor work and subsequent repair to the wall. The superintendent recommended the district donate the case on the condition that Taos County pay the costs of removal and restoration.

President Flores made the motion to donate the case contingent on Taos County covering removal and remediation expenses; Secretary Trujillo seconded. The vote was unanimous: Concha — yes; King — yes; Secretary Trujillo — yes; Vice President Sprague — yes; President Flores — yes. The board directed facilities staff to obtain contractor quotes for removal and wall repair and to present those estimates to Taos County as part of the donation arrangements.

No transfer will occur until the district receives firm cost estimates and a commitment from Taos County to cover them, and the district emphasized that proper contractor oversight will be required for removal.