The Hobbs Municipal Schools Board of Education approved several motions at its most recent meeting, including travel for the CTEK robotics team, adoption of updated safe-school plans, approval of budget and grant items, a contract addendum to complete the single audit, and a resolution authorizing defeasance of a portion of Series 2023 bonds.

Robotics travel: District staff requested approval for the CTEK robotics team to travel to the Texas regional competition in Dallas Dec. 11–13. Staff estimated travel, lodging and meal expenses would total no more than $7,500. A board member moved to approve the travel, another seconded, and the board voted in favor.

Safe-school plans: Director of Safety and Security Mr. Hardison presented the district's updated safe-school plans covering reunification procedures, fire drills, safety teams and required certifications. Staff said the district must submit the plans to the Public Education Department by Dec. 1 to receive credit. A motion to adopt the plans passed.

Financial items and grants: Business manager Mr. Lashway presented several budget items: increases in operational funds for CTEK from Excel Energy ($5,000) and Dollar General ($5,000); a $200,000 contribution from CTEK funders partners for work-based learning; a $20,000 donation from Chevron for the CPIC program; a $350,000 capital grant from the City of Hobbs (received this year for the prior year); and an insurance recovery grant for vehicle hail damage of $141,744.37. The board voted to approve these items.

Single-audit contract addendum: Administration requested approval of a $6,620.07 contract addendum with the district's audit firm so auditors can complete the single audit for federal programs, a task made separate by delays in Office of Management and Budget guidance. The board approved the addendum.

Bond defeasance resolution: Bond advisors and bond counsel presented a resolution authorizing defeasance (early payoff) of portions of the Series 2023 bonds to reduce interest costs. Advisors said the district previously defeased $15.4 million and saved $2.3 million in interest; the current proposal would defease about $1.9 million and is estimated to save approximately $273,000. Counsel explained the resolution authorizes up to $2,010,000 toward defeasance for specific maturities (2027–2029 and 2031). The board approved the resolution in a roll-call vote in which named trustees responded affirmatively (Calderon, Bridal, Romain, Jones).

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting):
- CTEK robotics travel to Dallas (Dec. 11–13): motion carried (vote: board voiced approval).
- Safe-school plans adoption: motion carried (voice vote: Aye).
- Expenditures/investments and grant recognitions (CTEK/Excel Energy/Dollar General/Chevron/City of Hobbs/insurance recovery): motion carried (voice vote: Aye).
- Single-audit contract addendum ($6,620.07): motion carried (voice vote: Aye).
- Defeasance resolution (authorization up to $2,010,000; recommended defeasance ~$1.9M; estimated interest savings ~$273,000): motion carried (roll call with named affirmatives reported).
- Wireless communication device policy (JICJ) second reading: motion carried (voice vote: Aye).

No motions recorded at the meeting rescinded or tabled; where roll-call votes were used, the transcript records named trustees casting affirmative votes for the defeasance resolution. Several other approvals in the consent/business portion were presented as informational or non-controversial and were approved by voice vote.

Next steps: The robotics team will complete travel logistics; the safe-school plans will be submitted to PED for review; bond defeasance procedures will proceed per resolution and counsel comments.