Board authorizes superintendent to select 10–20 students for NMSBA Board Institute and legislative day

The Gadsden Independent School District board on Jan. 23 authorized Superintendent Dempsey to select 10–20 students to attend the New Mexico School Boards Association Board Institute and the district legislative day at the New Mexico State Capitol.

Board members agreed the delegation should represent programs across the district; the superintendent said winners from the district’s STEM Festival and Weather Fest and participants in Project SEARCH would be prioritized. "If the board's main goal is to make sure we represent someone from each high school, maybe middle, I'm a little hesitant with elementary... but I think we can definitely work on it," Dempsey said during the discussion about selection criteria and logistics.

Board President Flores moved that the superintendent be given authority to select participants and finalize travel arrangements; the motion passed by voice vote. Board members noted lodging in Santa Fe during the legislative session is limited and some students may need to stay in Albuquerque and travel the morning of the event. The superintendent said administration will coordinate logistics, provide the final head count to board members and work with board members (including Ms. Murillo) to secure donations for a delegates’ dinner.

The administration gave a date for the legislative day: Thursday the 13th, described as a full day running "from 7 to 5 p.m." during the institute schedule; board discussion earlier referenced the event as taking place in February during the NMSBA conference.

Ending: The superintendent will return with a finalized participant list, lodging plan and any fundraising totals for the delegates’ dinner.