District weighing options to make up two storm-related lost days to avoid returning $1.7 million to state

District administration reported to the board that it submitted a waiver to the Public Education Department (PED) after Winter Storm Fern and outlined potential consequences and options. Staff said failing to make up the required days could trigger an obligation to return approximately $1.7 million to the state and that doing so would require furloughing staff pay for two days — a step the administration described as impractical.

Administration presented options for makeup days and noted the statutory minimum instructional hours are already met but the district must meet the days requirement. Choices under consideration include holding school on holidays (e.g., Good Friday or Memorial Day), scheduling Saturdays as community learning days with creative programming, or designing remote/partially synchronous community learning days where teachers are available online for portions of the day. Any plan would require PED approval and submission of the district’s intent.

Staff emphasized the district’s funding constraints — the district is among the least-funded in New Mexico — and said leaders are continuing conversations with principals and the district coalition to draft options that balance instructional value with family and staff calendars. The board and staff discussed avoiding loss of spring break if possible and seeking PED guidance on permissible community learning day formats.

No final decision was made at the meeting; staff said they will continue developing options and seek PED blessing for the chosen approach.