Raton superintendent says new school size calculation differs from engineers'plans; MOU unsigned pending correction

Superintendent Kristie Medina told the Raton Board of Education on Sept. 16 that a state facility calculator recommends a 120,000-square-foot new school, a reduction from the engineers' earlier calculation of 132,000 square feet, and that she has not signed the memorandum of understanding until the difference is addressed.

The discrepancy emerged during Superintendent Medina's report at the regular meeting held at the RHS Krivokapich Media Center. Medina said the Public Schools Facility Administration calculator produced the smaller figure and added that she would withhold signing the MOU "until this issue is worked out and corrected." The board did not take formal action or vote on the facility calculation at the meeting.

Medina also updated the board on facilities maintenance: fire alarm work is progressing, one air-conditioning unit must be covered under warranty, and a follow-up inspection by the state fire marshal will be required. She did not provide further budgetary details or timelines for resolving the square-footage calculation in the meeting record.

President Jason Phillips and board members listened to the report; no additional motions regarding the MOU or the facility calculation were recorded. The superintendent's withholding of her signature leaves the MOU unsigned pending technical reconciliation between the district's engineers and the state facility calculator.

The board adjourned at 6:23 p.m. and no subsequent meeting date on this item was announced during the session.