Grants‑Cibola board accepts $5,000 scholarship donation, approves fence contract and tables HVAC purchase

The Grants‑Cibola County Schools board approved several routine and procurement items at its March 4 meeting and postponed one larger purchase for further review.

On a motion by Mr. Jaramillo and a second from Mr. Ortiz, the board accepted a $5,000 donation from Continental Divide Electric Cooperative to the Grants High School Scholarship Fund. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote.

Later in the meeting trustees considered replacement fencing for Grants High School and Pirate Stadium. Superintendent Widener recommended contracting with Valley Fence Company to re‑install and repair fencing that was removed during prior projects; the company is a CES‑approved vendor. The board approved the purchase of fencing in the amount of $69,180.15 by roll call.

The board also considered a proposal to purchase individual heating and cooling units for Grants High School. Staff reported three quotes exist but the full quote for 40 units was not available at the table; the finance committee had reviewed partial pricing for 10 units but trustees agreed the board should review the full package. "I will make the recommendation we table this until the next meeting, which is March 18th," the board president said. Trustees seconded and the item was tabled for the March 18 meeting to allow staff to present the complete quote package.

In other business the board approved publishing an RFP for board legal services on March 7 and approved the consent agenda (bills and expenditures report for February 2025). The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.