Board approves renovations, classroom furniture purchases and new perimeter fence to improve safety and facilities

The Grants-Cibola County Schools Board of Education approved a package of facility upgrades and procurement items intended to restore flood-damaged sites, standardize classroom furniture across schools, and improve campus security.

Administration told the board that district office and Mesa View restoration work is underway after summer flood damage, including asbestos abatement at Mesa View. Facilities director Mr. Triplehorn said the contractor will start sidewalk replacement at Laguna on Oct. 28 (about 5,600 square feet) with an expected 4–6 week timeline and that flooring and cabinet work remain pending. He said the Student Support Services building renovation design is underway, with construction targeted for March and a projected construction cost between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000; the district currently has roughly $900,000 budgeted for the project and warned a budget increase of about $600,000 may be requested after bidding.

On procurement, the board approved a Meteor Education purchase for 41 elementary teacher desk configurations and 60 secondary teacher desks at $289,608.04 and a K12 Education purchase for 677 student desks, 719 student chairs and 41 sets of soft pads at $270,658.63. Mr. Triplehorn said the district used state contract pricing and an RFQ to streamline procurement and standardize furniture across elementary classrooms.

To address campus safety, the board approved a $315,808.33 contract with Valley Fence Company to remove the existing four-foot fence at Los Alamitos Middle School and install a six-foot fence with a two-foot cantilevered extension, reduce access points from four to two, and install timed gates to limit unauthorized evening access while meeting fire-code egress requirements. Mr. Triplehorn described the design as a powder‑coated system available in several colors and said the gates will be timer-controlled so people can exit after a lock but not re-enter unless authorized.

Board members asked clarifying questions about asbestos removal timing, funding sources for the Student Services renovation (administration said PSFA maintenance funds and related state monies), and implementation timing. Votes on the purchases and fence contract were taken by roll call and carried.

Administration said playground wood chips are being replenished and grounds crews are conducting fall cleanup across campuses.

Next steps: administration will finalize contractor pricing for the Student Support Services renovation and return to the board if a budget increase is required; purchase orders for furniture will be issued and fencing installation scheduled.