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Board hears expansion of CTE classes, welding delayed to January; district notes visa-related staffing challenges
Summary
Pojoaque Valley officials described new and ongoing CTE partnerships with Northern New Mexico College and Santa Fe Community College, enrollment counts for programs, a $33,000 welding budget plus a $75,000 grant for CTE funds, and J‑1 visa staffing limitations that affect retention.
District leaders told the board the district is expanding career and technical education through partnerships that include construction trades, electrical, automotive and ProStart culinary programs. Principal Cordova said the construction trades program has 12 students, the electrical program 11 students, automotive 19, ProStart 51 and a woodworking program with roughly 100 students.
Cordova said the district had planned to start a welding sequence this fall but delayed the start until January after a recommended instructor took another job and gaps were noted in protective equipment and materials. "We have budgeted about $33,000" for welding this year and "we have an additional grant of $75,000 to help with CTE programs," Cordova told the board, adding that many operating expenses would be covered through the CTE budget and grants. He listed missing items such as welding jackets, gloves and books and said the district would purchase materials from the CTE allocation.
Board members pressed administration on whether capital mill-levy funds can be used for on-site capital improvements and how fixed assets would be handled when programs end. The superintendent and board members also discussed the district’s use of J‑1 exchange visas for educators and the possibility of pursuing H‑1B sponsorship for longer retention, noting H‑1B sponsorship carries costs, a competitive lottery and longer-term obligations for employer sponsorship.
