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Mountainair board approves $338,123 GEARUP budget amid staff, student concerns
Summary
The Mountainair Public Schools board approved an initial GEARUP budget of $338,123 while faculty raised concerns about central office wages, air‑conditioning failures and use of personal devices; the board said it would take the faculty letter "under advisement."
The Mountainair Public Schools Board of Education on Sept. 23 approved an initial budget of $338,123 for the district's GEARUP grant.
Business Manager Peter Nieto introduced BAR‑082‑000‑2526‑0007‑IB for GEARUP fund 25205. Mrs. Kristin Oliver moved to approve the BAR and Mr. Victor Romero seconded; the motion carried. The approval funds GEARUP operations for the coming period and was described in the meeting minutes as an initial budget for the grant.
Earlier in the meeting a letter signed by several faculty members was read by Mr. Victor Romero. The letter raised multiple concerns, including central office wages, prioritization of repairs (specifically air conditioning at MMS and MHS), retaining GEARUP staff, questions about where funds are being allocated, and staff having to use personal devices for lesson planning and grading. Board President Darrell Roberts thanked the staff present and said the board would "take the letter under advisement." The minutes do not record a formal board response beyond that assurance.
Student Representative Luke Ochoa later told the board students were "very sad" about GearUp funding and said the program is essential to students; he urged maintaining the program at the high school. The minutes record that Mr. Roberts acknowledged Ochoa's concerns.
Next steps recorded in the minutes include ongoing audit work by the business manager (an audit entrance meeting was scheduled for Monday) and continued administrative follow‑up on program and facility issues. The board did not record additional formal actions tied to the faculty letter at this meeting.
