The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 on Aug. 11 to accept a $150,000 School Improvement and Transformation grant for Independence High School aimed at improving graduation rates and sustaining supports established in the prior year.
Independence High School Principal Jessica Sanchez and Secondary School Improvement Officer Renee Salcedo presented the school’s two-year plan, which builds on roughly $170,000 spent last year and targets teacher coaching, on-site therapy, expanded electives and additional academic counseling.
Salcedo said under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and state processes, Independence moved from comprehensive support and improvement to a “more rigorous interventions” (MRI) designation because the school fell below a 66.67% graduation threshold for three consecutive years. “It’s definitely more rigorous,” she said, adding that the school’s student population begins the year behind on credits and that the designation is tied specifically to multi-year graduation-rate calculations.
Sanchez outlined how last year’s roughly $170,000 was used: teacher coaching through a vendor called Coaching for Excellence; two days per week of on-site therapy for students; expanded elective offerings including film and art; and before/after-school and Saturday academic supports. She said those steps resulted in measurable improvement in the most recent published graduation-rate snapshot (her presentation cited an increase to about 58.5% for one cohort), though 2025 official rates were not yet available.
For Year 2, the $150,000 award will be allocated in part to continue coaching ($56,000), two days/week of on-site mental-health services ($28,000), a partial FTE for art/film ($25,000), additional academic counseling ($30,000) and indirect costs (about $10,257). Salcedo also said the school will set aside $16,000 in supplemental funding for experiential field trips and will continue Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
Board members praised the plan and the staff. Trustee Jeff Morgan recommended considering different uses for external coaching in the future; Trustee Jerry (last name not stated in the discussion) suggested tutoring-style supports; Board President (identified in roll call earlier in the meeting) and Superintendent Lisa Cleavon both highlighted the school’s role serving students who need a smaller, individualized learning environment.
The motion to approve the IHS School Improvement and Transformation grant was made by Jeff Morgan and seconded by Beth Miller; the board approved it unanimously.