Fort Lewis College representatives told the Central Consolidated School District board during a July work session that the district’s long‑standing memorandum of understanding to offer TESOL courses will be renewed, and that a federal Department of Education grant known as the Bloom Grant could provide additional financial support for some teachers.

The renewal keeps the existing program model and course lineup in place, Fort Lewis interim School of Education Dean Kiara Canela said. "We are bringing forward a renewal of a memorandum of agreement around TESOL courses," Canela said.

The memorandum covers four courses — two offered in the fall and two in the spring — that prepare participants to take the examination for the TESOL endorsement in New Mexico, Dr. Lorraine Chambers Schulte, associate dean and professor of teacher education at Fort Lewis College, told the board. "The only change is that we, at Fort Lewis, are the recipient of a Department of Education, National Professional Development Grant focused on training bilingual teachers in indigenous and heritage languages called the Bloom Grant," Chambers Schulte said.

Chambers Schulte said the MOU would allow Fort Lewis to provide some support for TESOL courses taken by Central Consolidated teachers who are enrolled as Bloom Fellows pursuing bilingual authorization through Fort Lewis. That support is contingent on continued federal funding for the Bloom Grant and the continued enrollment of Bloom Fellows. She said Fort Lewis has its first Bloom Fellow from Central Consolidated beginning this fall.

Board member Tsao said she had reviewed the agreement and described it as "pretty straightforward," asking whether the courses were intended to help district teachers prepare for the endorsement exam. Chambers Schulte confirmed that is their purpose.

Presenters said there are no substantial changes to the program or to the cost for the district, aside from the potential additional support tied to the Bloom Grant. The board did not take formal action during the session; attorney guidance and board discussion led to the decision to treat the gathering as a committee work session because only two board members were present. President Haskey called the work session to order at 5:51 p.m. and the board agreed to defer action items to a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15, when a quorum is expected.

The presentation was recorded in the work session minutes and will be placed on the consent agenda for the next meeting for formal consideration, board staff said. No vote or contractual adoption occurred during the July work session.

Next steps: Fort Lewis and district staff will proceed with the MOU renewal as a reportable item and, if the Bloom Grant continues to fund Fellows and district teachers enroll in the Bloom program, Fort Lewis may apply Bloom funds to support CCSD teachers enrolled in the TESOL courses. Any formal adoption or financial commitment will be handled when the board has a quorum.