Board okays several HB450 contracts and adopts bilingual‑seal policy; approves ADA restroom and bus‑drop safety projects

Pojoaque Valley's board approved a slate of action items on Dec. 17 covering facilities, technology and policy.

The board voted to approve a cooperative education services contract to add guardrails, fencing and a concrete pad at the high‑school bus loading area to improve student safety during pick‑up and drop‑off. Transportation staff said the work will help separate pedestrian flow from buses and provide a secure pad for buses equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Using HB450 funds, the board approved cooperative contracts for locking racks and UPS battery backups to protect network and security equipment (E‑Rate expected to cover about 80% of the estimated equipment cost) and separately approved a network infrastructure replacement project to replace end‑of‑life switches and wireless hardware. Facilities also received approval to renovate two Operational Building restrooms (1985 vintage) to meet ADA standards by reconfiguring stalls, installing touchless fixtures and updating plumbing.

The board also gave second and final approval to a district policy that implements the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy as a college‑ and‑career milestone. The policy sets four pathways for students to earn the seal: tribal‑certification MOUs, credits plus an advanced assessment, credits plus an alternative portfolio process, or a combined assessment and portfolio route. Administrators said MOUs with tribal governments and further operational guidance will return to the board for approval.

All motions recorded on the agenda passed by recorded votes at the Dec. 17 meeting.